Composers will often merge two of these scales, natural minor and harmonic minor, for a more pleasing sound.




Recall the diatonic triads of both scales.




Notice that many of the triads are the same.




Three pairs of triads (III--III+, v--V, and VII--viio) are different due to harmonic minor's raised seventh degree.




III is prefered to III+. This is because III+, being an augmented chord, has a peculiar sound.




V is preferred to v since V contains a leading tone (and therefore is stronger). This does not mean that v cannot be used.




VII and viio are both used equally. As you will later learn, each has a different function.




The merged minor scale contains nine different diatonic triads.