: Is a pure minor scale the same as natural minor? Do they mean the same thing? I'm reading a book on music theory and it says The harmonic minor scale is one of three traditional forms of minor scale. They are: "pure

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The book is using the term "pure minor scale" to refer to the natural minor scale. Yes; they are the same thing in this context, although "pure minor" is not a term I'm familiar with. It seems possible that the word "pure" is the result of an imperfect translation occurring somewhere along the line. But let's set that possibility aside and consider why the term "minor" might have been selected.

There are few reasons why the book might be calling natural minor the "pure" minor scale. For one, when we say "A min is the relative minor to C maj," we are referring to A natural minor (not A dorian minor, A melodic minor, or A harmonic minor). Secondly, when writing key signatures, there are generally two ways to interpret a single set of accidentals: as either a major key or a minor key. For example, if you see two flats on the staff, then you're working in either Bb major or G minor. In this context, the G minor tonality is built from G natural minor (not A dorian minor, A melodic minor, or A harmonic minor).

As a caveat, there are technically four minor scales, not three. The fourth minor scale that the book hasn't included is dorian minor, which is the second mode of the major scale.