The Minor Hexatonic Scale


A curiously consonant scale

definitions:

Construction in half step intervals: 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 2

With "C" as the tonic: C - D - Eb - F - G - Bb - (C)
Expressed in thirds (alternate minor - major): m3 - M3 - m3 - M3 - m3 ( C - Eb - G - Bb - D - F)
Expressed in fifths: Eb - Bb - F - C - G - D

Akin to the minor pentatonic but with the addition of a major second scale degree: D
Similar to the aeolian or dorian modes without a sixth scale degree: Ab and A respectively

For lack of any conventional label, please accept "minor hexatonic" (mH) for the name of this scale.

modes

C - D - Eb - F - G - Bb - (C)
Minor Hexatonic
A very consonant, "open" quality.
Possible uses include:
over minor seventh chords with no implication of traditional harmonic movement imminent;
Superimposition (i.e.: C mH / Ab pedal - lydian)
Points of tonal reference in 12 tone music - see below.

Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - (Bb)
"Major Hexachord" as per Slonimsky. See patterns 1293, 1297
Reflects the more common note choices used in pop and country music for the corresponding Bb major chord

Eb - F - G - Bb - C - D - (Eb)
See pattern 1299
The "avoid-the-fourth" scale (as jazz students are told to do) for use over an Ebmaj7;

observations:

The C mH scale is comprised of two mutually exclusive triads: C minor and Bb major. Two other triads may also be derived: G minor and Eb major.



Within the mH scale two pentatonic scales overlap: In "C", the C minor pentatonic (mP) and G mP. Or, perhaps more correctly, C mP and Bb major pentatonic (MP). See examples where the pentatonic subsets are explored as ascending and descending forms to the mH.

The C mH scale may be divided into two mutually exclusive three note quartal/quintal harmonies: C - G - D and Eb - Bb - F. Two other three note quintal harmonies may also be derived: Bb - F - C and F - C - G.


There are no intervals of a tritone within the framework of this hexatonic scale. In fact, no other six note scale exists with as many whole steps (4) and without a tritone (melodically dissonant).

Since there are no tritones within the mH scale, the six remaining notes of the chromatic scale compromise a similar mH scale a tritone away.



Since C mH + F# mH = chromatic scale, then so do the elements mutually exclusive to each respective tonality of the mH.



Twelve tone rows/lines
(as they relate to elements of the C and F# mH scales):
- tritone progression: Cm11 + F#min11
- 7flat5 progression: (- Cm-) [E - F#m] + [Bb - Cm]
- sesquitone progression: [Csus2 - Ebsus2] + [F#sus2 - Asus2]

Note that, depending on the arrangement of these elements, other hexatonic scales may be derived:
Cm + E = Augmented (tonic); Cm + F#m = minor tritone; E + Bb = major tritone

Relevant material:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 4
page 5
page 6

Other associated Slonimsky patterns:
1236a
1293

See my previous post on these symmetric six note scales:

Augmented
Tritone



Posted: Fri - September 12, 2008 at 07:48 PM          

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