Natural Minor (Aeolian) vs Harmonic Minor
The C natural minor (aeolian) and the C harmonic minor share 6 notes — C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab. From there, the C natural minor (aeolian) adds Bb, while the C harmonic minor adds B.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Harmonic Minor), D3 (2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 2 of C Harmonic Minor), Eb3 (flat 3 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 3 of C Harmonic Minor), F3 (4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 4 of C Harmonic Minor), G3 (5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 5 of C Harmonic Minor), Ab3 (flat 6 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 6 of C Harmonic Minor), Bb3 (flat 7), B3 (7), C4 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Harmonic Minor), D4 (2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 2 of C Harmonic Minor), Eb4 (flat 3 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 3 of C Harmonic Minor), F4 (4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 4 of C Harmonic Minor), G4 (5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and 5 of C Harmonic Minor), Ab4 (flat 6 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and flat 6 of C Harmonic Minor), Bb4 (flat 7), B4 (7), C5 (root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian) and root of C Harmonic Minor).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Natural Minor (Aeolian) | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · b6 · b7 |
| Harmonic Minor | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · b6 · 7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Natural Minor (Aeolian) | In Harmonic Minor |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| Eb | b3 | b3 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| Ab | b6 | b6 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the natural minor (aeolian): Bb (b7)
- Only in the harmonic minor: B (7)