Scales & Key Signatures: Spelling Natural Minor Scales - Practice with the WHWWHWW Formula

Using the formula WHWWHWW, spell a C-minor natural minor scale.

  • c-d is a whole step (W),
  • d-e-flat is a half step (H),
  • e-flat-f and f-g are both whole steps (WW),
  • g-a-flat is a half step (H), and
  • a-flat-b-flat and b-flat-c are both whole steps (WW).

  [W]   <H>   [W]   [W]   <H>   [W]   [W] 

C     D     E♭    F     G     A♭    B♭    C

The result is c - d - e-flat - f - g - a-flat - b-flat - c.

Verify by comparing the accidentals above with the key signature for C minor, which is the same as E-flat major: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat.

Practice using the WHWWHWW formula to spell a few more natural minor scales. An unmarked piano keyboard is shown below for reference. Click the row for each scale to check your answer.

piano_keyboard_3va.GIF