Get to Know Sad Melodies! A List of Songs Using Diatonic Minor Scale That Are Always Hits

An illustration of a song that use the minor diatonic scale (freepik)

YOGYAKARTA - Music has the incredible power to touch our deepest emotions, often evoking shades of sadness, anxiety, or compassion. The secret behind this melancholic melody is the use of the minor diatonic scale. Curious about songs that use the minor diatonic scale?

This minor scale is what gives a composition its dark or melancholic character. Let's explore the characteristics of this scale and see a list of popular songs that have successfully utilized it to dominate the music charts.

Understanding Minor Diatonic Scale

When discussing the minor scale, the situation becomes a bit more complex than with the major scale. Why Do Minor Keys Have More Chords?

According to the Music Theory Puget Sound website, in music, there isn't just one version, but rather three main versions: natural, harmonic, and melodic.

The difference between these versions lies in slight changes to the sixth (6th) and seventh (7th) notes. Now, because there are three versions, the number of "diatonic" chords (chords derived from that scale) is more than seven. Technically, there are up to 13 possible chords that can appear in a minor key!

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But don't worry. Despite the many possibilities, musicians and composers don't use all of them. If we analyze popular songs, we'll find that only a few chords are most frequently used in minor keys.

List of Popular Songs with a Legendary Minor Touch

• Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin

This epic song by Led Zeppelin is a perfect case study in the use of the minor scale. The iconic, melancholy intro is played with a dominant A minor harmony.

This minor key provides a foundation of sadness and mystery that slowly builds to a bombastic rock climax, demonstrating how minor can blend with majesty.

• House of the Rising Sun – The Animals

This folk song, revived by The Animals, is a prime example of the power of the minor diatonic scale.

With a simple chord progression in the key of A minor, the song creates a deeply somber and dark atmosphere, telling a tale of misfortune. It is this repeated minor chord that makes it a timeless ballad of sorrow.

• Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson used a minor key, specifically his signature harmonic minor touch, for this thriller song.

Overall, the use of minor creates a tense, urgent, and mysterious atmosphere, perfectly fitting the song's crime theme. This minor melody is very effective in establishing a powerful and energetic cinematic feel.

• Bukan Cinta Biasa – Afgan

Meanwhile, in the Indonesian pop music scene, Afgan's song is often cited as an example of the use of minor keys to convey deeper, more wistful romance.

The minor key successfully evokes feelings of longing or mature love, far from the cheerful, major-key feel of songs, making the song feel more emotional and touching to the listener.

• Zombie – The Cranberries

This anthem by The Cranberries embodies a dark, somber, and angry minor melody. Interestingly, the entire composition is powerfully played in the key of E minor.

The minor diatonic scale proves to be the secret key behind this soulful melody. After listening to this list, you now know that sadness is one of the greatest strengths of popular music.

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