Chapter 4 of 12 · Part 2: Scales before modes
Major and natural minor: Ionian and Aeolian
Direct answer
Ionian is the major scale. Aeolian is the natural minor scale. Keep the root fixed and natural minor lowers 3, 6, and 7: 1 2 flat 3 4 5 flat 6 flat 7.
Common mix-up: Starting major from its sixth note is a useful way to find relative minor, but it does not explain the sound. Flat 3, flat 6, and flat 7 do that when the root stays put.
Three notes turn major into natural minor
Compare A major with A natural minor. C-sharp becomes C, F-sharp becomes F, and G-sharp becomes G. Flat 3 changes the tonic chord from major to minor. Flat 6 and flat 7 supply the rest of the natural-minor pull.
Aeolian is simply the modal name for natural minor. You already know the sound; this chapter puts it in the seven-mode family.
Relative finds the notes; parallel explains them
A natural minor and C major share notes and fretboard positions, so the relative view is handy for navigation. A major and A natural minor share a root, so the parallel view makes each altered note easy to hear.
Use both views, but know which question you are answering. Are you trying to find the notes, or hear what changed?
Formulas, notes, and what to hear
| Scale or mode · hear it | Formula | Notes | Listen for |
|---|---|---|---|
A major / Ionian | Formula1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | NotesA B C♯ D E F♯ G♯ | Hearmajor 3 and leading-tone 7 |
A natural minor / Aeolian | Formula1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | NotesA B C D E F G | Hearflat 3, flat 6, and flat 7 |
Songs that make major and natural minor obvious
The Beatles — “Let It Be”
In C major. The piano intro and vocal melody keep returning to C, so the unaltered major scale sounds settled rather than modal.
Metallica — “Nothing Else Matters”
In E minor. The open-string intro outlines Em, and the verse melody fills in natural-minor notes around it.
Led Zeppelin — “Stairway to Heaven”
The solo centers A minor. Jimmy Page starts with pentatonic language, then reaches F and G, the flat 6 and flat 7 of natural minor.
Fretboard map
Standard tuning, frets 0-12. Blue is the root.
Tap any dot to hear that exact pitch. Swipe sideways to see the full neck. With a keyboard, use Tab and press Enter or Space.
Choose a dot to hear its pitch
Interactive lab
Flip A between major and natural minor
Play one scale at a time and listen for the changed degrees. Tap the playing card again to stop.
Original tab exercises
Play slowly enough to hear the interval named in this chapter. Every exercise is original OpenFret material, so you can practice the idea without copying a song.
Swipe sideways to follow the full line.
Original OpenFret exercise · standard tuning unless marked otherwise
Swipe sideways to follow the full line.
Original OpenFret exercise · standard tuning unless marked otherwise
Practice assignment
Take this to the guitar
Play A major and A natural minor from the same root. Pause on degrees 3, 6, and 7 and sing the changed note before you fret it.
Mastery check
Play-through and four-question quiz
Play the chapter piece first. Score 75% on the quiz to pass. You can retake it right away.
Chapter play-through
Play the whole chapter
Mirror A major and A natural minor across the neck. The shape stays familiar while 3, 6, and 7 move by one fret.
- Call out C-sharp, F-sharp, and G-sharp in the major sections.
- Call out C, F, and G in the minor sections.
- Keep A steady through the final major-to-minor switch.
Swipe sideways to follow the full line.
Original OpenFret exercise · standard tuning unless marked otherwise
0 of 4 questions answered
Answer the remaining 4 questions to check your work.
Major and natural minor FAQ
Is Aeolian the same as natural minor?
Yes. The notes, formula, and shapes are identical. Aeolian is the name used when treating natural minor as the sixth major-scale mode.
What is the relative major of A minor?
C major. They share the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, but establish different tonal centers.
Which degrees make a scale natural minor?
Against parallel major, lower 3, 6, and 7 by one semitone.