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G minor scale

The natural minor scale: the eight notes, fingering for both hands and the key signature.

The short answer

The notes of the G minor scale are G, A, B flat, C, D, E flat and F, and then G again at the top.

On the keys

Keyboard with the G minor scale marked: G, A, B flat, C, D, E flat and FGACDFGB♭E♭

Yellow is the starting note, and the same note again an octave up.

On the staff

Treble and bass staves showing the G minor scale, one octave: G, A, B flat, C, D, E flat and FGAB♭CDE♭FG

One octave of G minor, with the key signature at the start of each staff. G minor has two flats in its key signature: B flat and E flat. The right hand reads the treble clef; the left plays the same notes two octaves lower, on the bass clef.

Fingering

One octave going up. The thumb is 1 and the little finger is 5. Coming down, play the same fingers in reverse order.

HandGAB♭CDE♭FG
Right12312345
Left54321321

Key signature

G minor has two flats in its key signature: B flat and E flat. This is the natural minor, so it uses the key signature of its relative major, B flat major.

Harmonic and melodic minor

The natural minor is one of three minor scales. The harmonic minor raises the seventh note by a semitone, which gives G minor a leading note a semitone below the top: G, A, B flat, C, D, E flat and F sharp. The melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh notes going up: G, A, B flat, C, D, E and F sharp. Coming down it goes back to the natural minor.

Keep going

Questions

How many flats does the G minor scale have?

G minor has two flats in its key signature: B flat and E flat.

What is the fingering for the G minor scale?

For one octave going up, the right hand uses 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 and the left hand uses 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1.

Practise G minor and the other scales in PlayPiano, a piano practice app for iPhone and iPad.

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