The Scale:
The Aeolian Mode is also known as the Natural Minor. If you hear someone say ‘Minor’ without any further explanation, this is very likely to be the scale they mean. This is the most popularly used minor scale for lead work in minor keys, because all the notes of minor chords are found in the Aeolian Mode.
There are many ways to play an A Aeolian mode scale, but we’ll stick with the 5th fret box position that should be familiar to you from my other articles. Transpose the root note to other frets on the 6th strong to suit – 3rd fret would be G Aeolian, 8th fret C Aeolian… and so on:
Aeolian Mode Scale Ascending
Aeolian Mode Scale Descending
The Box
Aeolian Mode Theory
Aeolian is the sixth major scale mode, the notes of A Aeolian are the same as C Major. The intervallic formula is ‘WHWWHWW‘ (W Whole tone or 2 frets, H = Half tone or 1 fret). As compared to a major scale, the natural minor has a flattened third, sixth and seventh. The harmonic minor has the same notes as natural minor, but the seventh degree is raised a semi tone.
Natural Minor is used a great deal in rock music ‘All along the Watchtower’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ are examples of Natural minor melodies.
Some Natural Minor Example licks
Check out these example Phrygian Mode licks, you’ll find the TAB as well as a guide to the symbols, below:
1) Slide:
2) Rake:
3) Descending:
4) Arpeggio:
Hammer ons: h.
Pull offs: p.
Vibrato: ~.
Bends: b.
Release bend: br.
Tap: t.
Slides: / or \ depending on direction.
You can download a PDF of the licks here.
The Extra Flash
Once you’ve grasped the material above, try transposing it in to different keys – move the examples above up the neck two frets and you’re in B Aeolian, down 5 frets – E Aeolian, and so on. Remember the modal scale relationships as well – you can play A Aeolian licks over a backing track in the key of C major, for example. Check out the theory lessons for a refresher!
You’ll find some backing tracks to noodle over on my YouTube channel HERE.
And that’s the Aeolian Mode scale for you. You can find more articles on scales and guitar technique to help you develop as a player here. If you’ve got any questions please get in touch on Facebook or Twitter.
Now go make that guitar wail!
