Major Scale vs Natural Minor Scale

Side-by-side comparison of two musical terms.

	Major Scale	Natural Minor Scale
Definition	A seven-note scale with the pattern tone–tone–semitone–tone–tone–tone–semitone	The basic minor scale using only the notes of its key signature, without any raised sixth or seventh degrees.
Category	scales	scales
Pronunciation	MAY-jer SKAIL	/ˈnætʃərəl ˈmaɪnə skeɪl/
Origin	Latin	English (theoretical term)
BPM	—	—
Synonyms	Ionian mode	Aeolian mode pure minor relative minor scale
Antonyms	minor scale	major scale
Usage	Every beginner pianist starts with C major — the only major scale using exclusively white keys.	The folk melody uses the natural minor scale throughout, giving it a haunting, modal 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: The basic minor scale using only the notes of its key signature, without any raised sixth or seventh degrees.
Category: scales
Pronunciation: /ˈnætʃərəl ˈmaɪnə skeɪl/
Origin: English (theoretical term)
Synonyms: Aeolian mode pure minor relative minor scale
Antonyms: major scale
Usage: The folk melody uses the natural minor scale throughout, giving it a haunting, modal quality.