stringery

A minor

Natural minor, also called aeolian. Minor family

Sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

Root position2 of 5

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Square: the root. In colour: the flat 6th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ARW
  2. B2H
  3. C♭3W
  4. D4W
  5. E5H
  6. F♭6W
  7. G♭7W

The flat 3rd makes it minor, and the flat 6th is what makes it sound sad rather than just dark.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA minor

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Position 2 is outlined, frets 4 to 8. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A minor key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

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

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C major

    Same notes, but home is C: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • D dorian

    Same notes, but home is D: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • G mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is G: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • F lydian

    Same notes, but home is F: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • E phrygian

    Same notes, but home is E: dark, spanish, menacing.