MollTonarten

MollTonarten are the tonalities in Western music that center on a minor scale, forming the counterpart to major keys (DurTonarten). They establish a tonic and a functional harmony built from scale degrees of a minor collection. In analysis and notation, moll prefers lowercase roman numerals for chords, reflecting the minor quality of the tonic.

The natural minor scale, also called the aeolian mode, has the interval pattern: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The harmonic minor raises the seventh degree by a semitone, creating a leading tone and a dominant V that often resolves to i. The melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees when ascending (and reverts to natural minor when descending), yielding a smoother ascent and a distinct harmonic color.

Key signatures for minor keys align with their relative major keys. For example, A minor shares the same signature as C major (none), and E minor shares one sharp with G major. The parallel minor shares the same tonic vowel but a different key signature, such as A major versus A minor. The raised notes in harmonic and melodic minor forms are typically indicated as accidentals rather than changing the base key signature.

Chords in mollTonarten commonly appear as i, ii°, III, iv, v or V, VI, VII, with variations depending on whether the harmonic or melodic form is used. This flexibility supports a wide range of emotions and harmonic colors, from introspective and somber to dramatic and expansive.

In summary, MollTonarten describe minor tonalities, their scale structures, relationships to major keys, and their characteristic harmonic possibilities. They are a fundamental component of tonal music, influential across classical, Romantic, and modern repertoires.