A Aeolian at a glance
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A B C D E F G |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m |
| Step pattern | W H W W H W W |
| Chords in the key | AmB°CDmEmFG |
Chords in the A Aeolian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Aeolian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Aeolian uses only white keys.
A · B · C · D · E · F · G
Try A Aeolian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Aeolian on the guitar
A Aeolian - fr 0–12
A Aeolian on the staff
Notes of the A Aeolian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C | minor 3rd3m | 3 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A Aeolian different
Aeolian is the modal name for natural minor: same notes, same intervals. It's the sixth mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a minor third above its root. Two notes place it among its neighbours: the minor sixth separates it from Dorian, and the major second separates it from Phrygian. Its i, iv and v chords are all minor, with major chords on ♭III, ♭VI and ♭VII, the set behind the ♭VI, ♭VII, i cadence of rock and film music. On A, A Aeolian has F where A Dorian has F♯; every other note is shared with A Dorian (A B C D E F♯ G).
Modes from A Aeolian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the A Aeolian scale
The diatonic chords of A Aeolian are: i = Am, ii° = B°, III = C, iv = Dm, v = Em, VI = F, VII = G. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Aeolian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood.
Practice tips
Treat aeolian as natural minor for practice purposes. Compare it to its relative major to lock in the position relationships.
Formula & step pattern
The A Aeolian scale follows the natural minor pattern (W-H-W-W-H-W-W), identical to the natural minor scale. Step pattern: W - H - W - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear A Aeolian
Start with the music described above: listen for A Aeolian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Aeolian scale?
The A Aeolian scale contains A, B, C, D, E, F and G.
What is the formula for the A Aeolian scale?
A Aeolian follows the natural minor pattern (W-H-W-W-H-W-W), identical to the natural minor scale.
Is A Aeolian a major or minor scale?
A Aeolian is a aeolian scale. Identical to natural minor - the classic minor mode of the Western system.
What chords belong to the A Aeolian scale?
The diatonic chords of A Aeolian are Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F, G.
Which genres use A Aeolian?
Aeolian is just natural minor under a different name. It dominates pop, rock and folk in minor keys. Reach for it any time you want a warm, melancholic mood.
How do you play the A Aeolian scale on the piano?
On the piano A Aeolian uses only white keys.
What is the difference between A Aeolian and A Dorian?
On A, A Aeolian has F where A Dorian has F♯; every other note is shared with A Dorian (A B C D E F♯ G).
What is the relative key of A Aeolian?
The relative key of A Aeolian is C Major. It uses the same notes (C D E F G A B) starting from C, so the two share a key signature.
How do I practise the A Aeolian scale?
Treat aeolian as natural minor for practice purposes. Compare it to its relative major to lock in the position relationships.