7-note scale · also called natural minor, Aeolian mode

The minor scale on guitar

The natural minor scale: the major scale’s darker twin, with a ♭3, ♭6 and ♭7.

Formula

1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7

Step pattern

W – H – W – W – H – W – W

Sounds

dark, sad or serious, without being exotic

The natural minor scale lowers the 3rd, 6th and 7th degrees of the major scale. Its step pattern is W–H–W–W–H–W–W, and its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

It is also the sixth mode of the major scale (Aeolian), which is why each minor key has a relative major with exactly the same notes: A minor and C major, E minor and G major, D minor and F major. What changes is which note feels like home.

Harmonised, the natural minor scale gives i, ii°, ♭III, iv, v, ♭VI and ♭VII. Progressions like i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII (Am–F–C–G) and i–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII drive a huge amount of rock and pop. When you want a stronger pull back to the root, guitarists often swap the minor v for a major V, which borrows from the harmonic minor scale.

A minor by scale degree

Here is A minor across the neck, labelled by scale degree instead of note name. Because guitar shapes are movable, this same pattern works in every key: slide it so the red root lands on the note you want.

Minor scale in all 12 keys

Pick a key for its notes, chords and fretboard diagrams.

When to use it

Use the minor scale over songs in a minor key, over minor and minor 7th chords, and in rock, metal, pop ballads and folk.

Practice tip: Every minor scale shares its notes with a major scale three frets higher. If you know G major, you already know E minor: just treat E as home.