stringery

G 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. GRW
  2. A2H
  3. B♭♭3W
  4. C4W
  5. D5H
  6. E♭♭6W
  7. F♭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 neckG minor

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Position 2 is outlined, frets 2 to 6. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The G minor key

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

  1. Gmi
  2. Adimii°
  3. B♭III
  4. Cmiv
  5. Dmv
  6. E♭VI
  7. FVII

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

  • B♭ major

    Same notes, but home is B♭: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • C dorian

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

  • F mixolydian

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

  • E♭ lydian

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

  • D phrygian

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