Path

What to study before Minor key harmony

The minor harmonic field, which is not one field: the three minor scales produce different chords on the same degree. Below, the concepts that come before, in the order in which one explains the next. Signed in, you see the same path minus what you already hold: your path.

Notes and semitones
The seven letter names, the accidentals that alter them, and the semitone as the system's smallest step.
Level 0lesson Notes have names, and the names have a rule (First steps in theory)
Intervals
The distance between two notes, measured by a number taken from the letter names and a quality taken from the semitones.
Level 1has practicelesson The distance between two notes (First steps in theory)
Major scale
Seven degrees built on a fixed sequence of tones and semitones, and the reference everything else is measured against.
Level 1has practicelesson The major scale, from any note (First steps in theory)
Key signatures
The fixed accidentals at the start of the staff, their invariable order, and the circle of fifths that organizes them.
Level 1lesson Reading the key in one second (First steps in theory)
Minor scales
The three forms of the minor scale — natural, harmonic, and melodic — and what each alteration solves.
Level 2has practicelesson Three minor scales, and one problem each (Harmony for people who play)
Triads
Three-note chords stacked in thirds, and the four qualities that result.
Level 2has practicelesson Three notes, four chords (First steps in theory)
Diatonic harmony
The chords that arise from stacking thirds on each degree of a scale, and why each quality lands where it does.
Level 3has practicelesson The seven chords of a key (First steps in theory)
Minor key harmony
The minor harmonic field, which is not one field: the three minor scales produce different chords on the same degree.
Level 4has practicelesson Three scales, one key (Colour and change)