2. PER THE SAME TONIC ("PARALLEL" OR "TONIC" MINOR) = your way of seeing it.
Here you start with the same major scale.
A major
A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#,A
If you lower only the 3rd, you get our melodic minor.
A,B,C,D,E,F#,G#,A
If you lower the 3rd, and the 6th, you get our harmonic minor.
A,B,C,D,E,F,G#,A
If you lower the 3rd, 6th and 7th, you get our natural minor (which isn't that natural, maybe, unless you live in the Renaissance)
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,A
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I first learned the top way. Later I learned the second, and got convinced it's more practical. These days I try to be "bilingual" from both views.
Thank you for [re]posting this Keystring, my printout is now near the bottom of my music box because I learned the minor scales using a daily drill based on your 2nd rubric.
To a pure beginner I recommend that you pick one key and go in this order.
1. A Major
2. A Melodic Minor by lowering note #3 (up only)
3. Play A Harmonic Minor (Melodic + lower 6th)
4. Play A Natural Minor (Harmonic + lower 7th)
Now go back and plug your natural minor into the melodic scale for the downside.
I suggest beginners start on the key of A so they can see all the black keys turn to white.
