By this point, you have learned a lot about the major scale. It is one of the two main musical scales and represents a certain color or type of sound. The minor scale, which represents a different color, a darker sound, is the other main musical scale. You'll encounter the minor scale often as well.

Certain pieces of music can convey mood and feeling based on the key and type of scale in which they're written. Major scales have a bright and cheery sound. Since music is all about contrast, the minor scale and its darker sound are needed in juxtaposition to the major scale. Think of it as another flavor in your spice rack.

There are a few ways to look at the minor scale. One is a definitive approach, and the other is the derivative approach. You will explore the derivative approach later in the chapter. For now, treat the minor scale as a separate entity that has its own formula, intervals, and usage. Later on, you can look at the bigger picture and make some fun connections.