AEOLIAN MODE - THE NATURAL MINOR SCALE:

The Aeolian mode can be utilzed often in blues and rock soloing, as well as in many other

muscial genres. In the table below you can see how this scale’s intervals compare to some
other common scales and modes.

Major scale, (Ionian mode) 1 (root) 2 3 4 5 6 7

Natural Minor scale, (Aeolian mode)

Harmonic Minor scale

1 (root)

1 (root)

2

2

b3

b3

4

4

5

5

b6

b6

b7

7

Dorian mode 1 (root) 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

Pentatonic Minor scale 1 (root) - b3 4 5 - b7

Blues scale 1 (root) - b3 4 b5 5 b7

You can play this scale over most minor type chords when treating each chord as a separate

event. You can also utilize Aeolian mode over ALL the chords in a minor key progression
unless the four chord is major, the two chord is minor, or there is a major V chord.

Below are two scale patterns for Natural Minor that you will find incredibly useful. Number one

has the root on the low E string and number two has the low root on the A string.

These two patterns are easy and fast to find as you utilize the first finger on the root. If you are

just using minor pentatonic scales you really want to add Natural Minor to your playing

repertoire. Natural minor adds the melodic half steps, and it provides more lick and string

bending opportunities. Get creative with them!

= root note

Fingering to

(^) be utilized

1
2
1
4
3
1
4 4
3
1
2

2. Natural Minor scale A string root

3

4

1

1 1

1

4

3

1

3

2

3

2 1 1

1. Natural Minor scale low E string root

3

4

4

4 4