STRINGSCALES

A minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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A minor

The minor scale, also called natural minor or aeolian, shares its notes with the major scale three frets up but centers them on a darker home chord. The flat 3rd sets the minor sound, and the flat 6th gives it the heavy, melancholic pull that drives rock, metal and film ballads. Compare it with the harmonic and melodic minor, which each raise degrees to strengthen the resolution to the root.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i

Am
B

ii°

Bdim
C

bIII

Cmaj
D

iv

Dm
E

v

Em
F

bVI

Fmaj
G

bVII

Gmaj

Characteristic note: F (b6), the flat sixth that separates natural minor from dorian.

Same notes, different mode

A minor uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B locrianC major · relative majorD dorianE phrygianF lydianG mixolydian

minor in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Anchor your A minor phrases on the flat 3rd (C) and flat 7th (G); they are what separate the minor sound from A major.
  • Let the flat 6th (F) fall to the 5th (E) at phrase endings for the classic minor lament.
  • Solo over a i-bVI-bVII vamp in A minor: all three chords live inside the scale, so every scale tone works somewhere.
  • Swap to A harmonic minor on the V chord (raise bVII (G) to VII) to hear why that raised 7th exists, then fall back to natural minor on the i.

How to play A minor on guitar

Open A is the root, open E the fifth on two strings, so drones and pedal tones sit under your fretting hand for free. All seven notes are naturals, every open string belongs to the scale, and the A-shape barre closes the loop at fret 12. Most players learn this key alongside E minor first, which means the open-position box probably lives in your hands already. C major shares every fingering.

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