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Posted by 02
on 9/5/2008, 10:07 pm, in reply to "Melody"
67.182.103.142
That's a good question, and there may not be a sufficient short answer. However, a summation can be found in the words "harmonic" and "melodic."
In common practice, the minor key is almost always established by the raised 7th scale degree, the altered note in the harmonic minor scale. This scale is best considered a collection of notes that form a key rather than a scale as a sequence of notes. They are the notes used to create the harmony for the minor key.
Often, melodic material includes the raised sixth when the line ascends to the tonic. Likewise, when the line falls away from the tonic, you may find the lowered 7th and 6th degrees. This is not always the case, however. Theoretically, one should not write an augmented 2nd in a melodic line (following 18th c. J.J. Fux rules), so using the "harmonic" minor scale notes (lowered 6th, raised 7th) in a melody would be wrong. BUT, if you look at a variety of pieces from Bach through Brahms, you'll find that aug. 2nd anyway.
Natural minor sounds modal, and the low 7th does not tonicize the tonic by a half step. Its purpose is to serve in relation to the relative major. In A minor, for example, you'll likely not find a G natural until the music modulates to the relative major C.
I hope this explanation helps.
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