Natural Notes and Scale Degrees

by Jay Skyler

The natural sign is used when we expect a note to be sharped or flatted but isn't. If we expect it to be natural (like in the Major scale) we can just write the scale degree number or note name.

When we say a note (referenced by its letter name or notated on the staff in standard music notation) is natural, we mean it has no sharps or flats. The natural notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

When we say a scale degree is natural, we indicate that the note is the same as the note found in the Major scale built on the root of that scale or chord. For example: The Harmonic minor scale was formed from the Natural minor scale by changing the flatted seventh scale degree (7) to a natural seventh (7).

Details: Written by Jay Skyler https://www.jayskyler.com JaySkyler
Guitarist, Vocalist,and Guitar Instructor, Guitar Teacher Guitar Lessons with Jay Skyler; Category: Guitar Lesson Glossary: Music, Gear, & Slang; Published: 06 March 2015; Created: 06 March 2015; Last Updated: 06 March 2015

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