Module 3 mini-test

Try before reading the answers.

1. What is the relative minor of C major?

2. What is the relative minor of G major?

3. What is the natural-minor scale-degree formula?

4. What changes when natural minor becomes harmonic minor?

5. What changes when natural minor becomes classical melodic minor ascending?

6. What is A harmonic minor?

7. Why is E7 commonly used in A minor even though G♯ is not in A natural minor?

8. What is the difference between relative minor and parallel minor?

9. Build D harmonic minor.

10. What is V7 → i in D minor?

Answers

1. A minor
2. E minor
3. 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
4. Raise degree 7.
5. Raise degrees 6 and 7 ascending.
6. A B C D E F G♯ A
7. G♯ acts as a leading tone to A and creates a strong dominant E7 → Am.
8. Relative keys share a key signature; parallel keys share a tonic.
9. D E F G A B♭ C♯ D
10. A7 → Dm

The biggest idea from Module 3 is this:

Minor is not merely “major with sadder notes.” It is a flexible harmonic system in which scale degrees 6 and 7 can change according to melodic and harmonic function.

Next is Module 4: Triads, inversions, and voice leading. That will be especially practical: instead of jumping around the keyboard playing C → Am → F → G in root position, we'll learn how pianists rearrange the same notes so the hands barely move—and why that instantly makes accompaniment sound much more polished.