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Guitar scales · Natural minor (Aeolian)

A minor scale on guitar

The A minor scale has seven notes: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.

Notes and pattern

The A minor scale

The of a major key: same notes, starting on the 6th degree. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 and 2 : whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.

A minor has the same notes as C major, starting from A. See that scale.

  1. A1
  2. B2
  3. C♭3
  4. D4
  5. E5
  6. F♭6
  7. G♭7
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  • A, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

A minor in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

A minor · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

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  • Root (A)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the A minor scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in A minor

Same root

Other scales on A

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

A minor, in short

What notes are in the A minor scale?
The A minor scale has seven notes: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. As degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6 and ♭7.
What chords go with the A minor scale?
The chords built on A minor are Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F and G.
What is the relative major of A minor?
A minor has the same notes as C major, starting from A.
All guitar scales