Using the C major scale as the foundation for all scales. Now learn how to alter the C major scale to create the C Natural Minor Scale. The diagram below is for guitar but the note relationship or distances remains the same for all instruments.
The Natural Minor Scale is also called the Relative Minor or Aeolian Minor or just Aeolian Scale.
In music theory many times the same thing has two or more names.
Memorize and play the C Natural Minor Scale. Just flat the E or third and the A or sixth and the B or seventh.
ALL scales repeat the same pattern up and down in tone. C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Numbers are given to correspond to the major scale degrees or positions.
C Major Scale: C=1/Root, D=2nd, E=3rd, F=4th, G=5th, A=6th, B=7th, C=8th/octave.
C Natural Minor Scale: C=1/Root, D=2nd, Eb=b3rd, F=4th, G=5th, Ab=b6th, Bb=b7th.
Memorize the C Natural Minor Scale note names and number formula.
C Natural Minor – note names= C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb and C
C Natural Minor – number formula=1/R, 2nd, b3rd, 4th, 5th, b6th, b7th and root/8.
C1, D2, Eb/b3, F4, G5, Ab/b6, Bb/b7, C.
1,2,b3,4,5,b6,b7,8/1.
The note to note intervals are the same for all keys. This applies to any string, octave, position or instrument.
Using the note name chart below – play the C natural minor scale starting from low thick E string 1st fret up neck, then back down neck. Repeat this same process for each string. Remember to say note names out loud as you play each note up and then down in tone. Repeat this process for all 6 strings: Low E, then A, D, G, B and thin E string. The underlined fret number indicates dot positions:
open 1 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 19, 21, 24
Now play and say out loud the C Natural Minor scale note by note up and back each string.
Repeat this process for all strings.
F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F – F, Eb, D, C, Bb, Ab, G, F
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on 1st fret low E string.
bB, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb – Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on A string 1st fret Bb to Bb 13th fret octave.
D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D – D, C, Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, D
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on open D to D 12th fret octave.
G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G – G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb, Ab, G
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on open G to G 12th fret octave.
C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C – Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, D, C, Bb
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on 1st fret B string to C 13th fret octave.
F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F – Eb, D, C, B, A, G, F
this is C Natural Minor scale starting on 1st fret high E string to 13th fret.
Repeat this same process for bass, piano and any other instrument.
All materials for personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
Copyright © 2012