Major Scale vs Minor Scale

Side-by-side comparison of two musical terms.

	Major Scale	Minor Scale
Definition	A seven-note scale with the pattern tone–tone–semitone–tone–tone–tone–semitone	A seven-note scale with a flattened third degree relative to the major
Category	scales	scales
Pronunciation	MAY-jer SKAIL	MY-ner SKAIL
Origin	Latin	Latin
BPM	—	—
Synonyms	Ionian mode	Aeolian mode
Antonyms	minor scale	major scale
Usage	Every beginner pianist starts with C major — the only major scale using exclusively white keys.	The piece shifts to the minor in the development section, lending the theme a darker, more introspective quality.

Definition: A seven-note scale with the pattern tone–tone–semitone–tone–tone–tone–semitone
Category: scales
Pronunciation: MAY-jer SKAIL
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: Ionian mode
Antonyms: minor scale
Usage: Every beginner pianist starts with C major — the only major scale using exclusively white keys.

Definition: A seven-note scale with a flattened third degree relative to the major
Category: scales
Pronunciation: MY-ner SKAIL
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: Aeolian mode
Antonyms: major scale
Usage: The piece shifts to the minor in the development section, lending the theme a darker, more introspective quality.