A natural minor scale on guitar

The natural minor scale (Aeolian mode) has the same notes as its relative major, starting from the 6th degree. Its minor third gives it a darker, more melancholic color.

On the whole neck

EADGBEEFGABCDEABCDEFGADEFGABCDGABCDEFGBCDEFGABEFGABCDE0123456789101112

Position from fret 4

EADGBEABCDEFGABCDEFGABC45678

Root notes are filled. The position groups the notes of the scale in one area of the neck, starting from the root on the 6th string.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2Bmajor second
3Cminor third
4Dperfect fourth
5Eperfect fifth
6Fminor sixth
7Gminor seventh

Steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

Relative scale: the C major scale, with exactly the same notes.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. Ami
  2. Bdimii°
  3. CIII
  4. Dmiv
  5. Emv
  6. FVI
  7. GVII

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys