Aeolian (Minor) Scale

Dive into the Aeolian scale, the most common minor scale that brings depth and emotion to your guitar playing. This example focuses on A Aeolian.

What Is Aeolian Scale

Aeolian mode is the sixth mode of the major scale, but most guitarists know it simply as the natural minor scale. It's one of the most important scales to learn because it creates that classic minor sound.

To find the Aeolian scale, start on the sixth note of any major scale and use those same notes. For instance, A Aeolian comes from C major: A-B-C-D-E-F-G.

The key features are the flat 3rd, flat 6th, and flat 7th notes. In A Aeolian, that means C, F, and G are all natural notes instead of being sharp like they would be in A major.

On guitar, Aeolian works perfectly over minor chords and minor progressions. It's the backbone of countless rock ballads, metal riffs, and folk songs.

Among guitar modes, Aeolian is the most versatile minor option. It's not as exotic as Dorian or as dramatic as Phrygian, but that familiarity makes it incredibly useful. It sounds natural and accessible while still having emotional weight.