Comments for What is the V in a Minor Scale?

The V in a Minor Scale
by: Ido from www.piano-play-it.com

Hey Jack,

Here's my explanation about the the dominant (V) in a minor scale.

The dominant chord is always a major one.

For example,
If you are in C major scale, then the dominant is a G major chord.
If you are in C minor scale, still the dominant is G major, and not Gm as someone may think.

Let?s take another scale:

In D major scale the dominant is an A chord.
In D minor scale, still the dominant is A.

You see? The dominant chord is always a major one.

Why?
First we have to understand that the dominant, which is the fifth chord in the scale, has a specific function - to create tension that will be released in the following chord to the tonic.

The chord which usually comes right after the dominant is the Tonic -the first chord in the scale.

Let's see what happens in the major scale, for example the C scale:

The B note is the leading tone in this scale.

It is placed a semi tone below the C note, and produces tension. When you play this note in the environment of the C scale, you will feel that it's unstable and you will feel the urge to play the C note immediately after.

The dominant chord contains the B note and by playing that note the tension is increased towards the tonic.

Now, what is the story of the dominant in the minor scale?

Well, if you take the fifth chord in C minor scale you will get the Gm chord. It's almost the same as the G chord, but instead of the B note you will have there a Bb.

This note (Bb) is placed a whole step below the C, thus it doesn't produce the tension of the leading tone, as produced by the B note.

For hundreds of years composers preferred to use the leading tone before going back to the tonic, even if the scale is a minor one. This is the reason you get the G major chord even if you are in C minor scale.

Sometimes composers use the minor dominant. For example you may see:
Cm » Gm » Cm.

In these cases you will get a beautiful and a special sound, but as I said before, the normal progression is Cm » G » Cm since the dominant chord is a major one.

Hope I helped you. Don't hesitate to ask us any further questions.

Ido, from www.piano-play-it.com.

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