Learn to Play Recorder

Lesson 46: Minor Keys, Part 1 — Natural and Harmonic Minor

  • Play natural and harmonic minor scales fluently in A minor and D minor.
  • Play natural and harmonic minor scales fluently in D minor and G minor on your alto staff (the transpositions of soprano's A and D minor).
  • Recognise which kind of minor a piece is in from its cadences.

Three minors, one tonic. The composer chose which.

Minor keys have three forms: natural, harmonic, melodic. Natural minor keeps the sixth and seventh at their key-signature pitches; harmonic minor raises the seventh, creating the leading-tone resolution that powers Baroque cadences.

A natural minor — no accidentals

D natural minor on your alto staff — one flat (Bb)

The same notes as C major, starting on A. The seventh (G) is not raised; the cadence sounds modal rather than tonal.

The relative minor of F major, starting on D on your alto staff. The seventh (C) is not raised; the cadence sounds modal rather than tonal.

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A harmonic minor — raised G

D harmonic minor on your alto staff — raised C

The seventh becomes G#, so the cadence pulls tonally. The augmented second between F and G# gives harmonic minor its exotic colour.

The seventh becomes C#, so the cadence pulls tonally. The augmented second between Bb and C# gives harmonic minor its exotic colour.

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D harmonic minor

G harmonic minor on your alto staff

One flat in the signature (Bb); C is sharpened at cadences.

Two flats in the signature (Bb and Eb); F is sharpened at cadences.

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Now play these

Telemann: Sonata in A minor, TWV 41:a4
A harmonic minor — G# at every cadence.
D harmonic minor on your alto staff — C# at every cadence.
Telemann: Sonata in D minor, TWV 41:d4
D harmonic minor — C# at the cadences.
G harmonic minor on your alto staff — F# at the cadences.
Handel: Sonata in A minor, HWV 362 (Movements 1 and 3)
The harmonic-minor sound throughout.
The harmonic-minor sound throughout (D minor on your alto staff).

When you can play both forms of minor fluently in two keys, and identify which form a piece is in by ear, move on to Lesson 47.