A minor scale in music theory is a iatonic scale whose third scale degree is an interval of a minor third above the tonic. While some definitions of minor scale encompass modes with the minor third, such as Dorian mode, most musicians use the term to refer to the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales described below. Also, compare major and minor. It is helpful to note that the natural minor scale is the same as the 6th musical mode of the major scale (known as the aeolian mode), but the two other minor scales (harmonic and melodic) do not belong to the same group of modes due to their individual alterations.