The natural minor scale

The natural minor scale is the major scale with three notes lowered, and it is also the same set of notes as the major scale that starts three semitones above it. Understanding that link is what turns two scales into one idea.

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• State the natural minor formula and compare it to major.
• Play A natural minor in a position with the root on the 6th string.
• Explain relative major and minor using A minor and C major.

The natural minor scale has the formula W – H – W – W – H – W – W. Compared with major it has three lower notes: the third (♭3), sixth (♭6) and seventh (♭7). From A: A B C D E F G.

Relative minor. Those are exactly the notes of C major. A natural minor and C major are relative keys: same notes, different home. Play the notes and end on C, and it sounds major; end on A, and it sounds minor. The relative minor always starts on the sixth note of the major scale (and is three semitones below its root).

Fingering. This A minor position has the root on the 6th string at fret 5 and covers frets 5 to 9. Most strings use three notes: frets 5, 7, 8 on the 6th, 5th and 1st strings; frets 5, 7, 9 on the 4th and 3rd; frets 5, 6, 8 on the 2nd string. Use your first finger on fret 5, and spread the others as is comfortable (often 1-3-4). The 7-to-9 stretch on the D and G strings takes patience.

In chords. Chords from A natural minor include Am, Dm, Em and the major chords F, G and C.

Same notes, new home.

1. Play the A natural minor position from the 6th string, fret 5, up to the 1st string, then back down.
2. End on A (fret 5 on the 6th string). It sounds finished and minor.
3. Now play it again but end on C (fret 8 on the 6th string). It sounds as if the music is in C major.

A short minor melody, using the first two strings. It ends on the root.

e|---5--8--7--5|-----------5-|
B|-------------|--8--6--5----|
G|-------------|-------------|
D|-------------|-------------|
A|-------------|-------------|
E|-------------|-------------|

Do these in order. Each one is small. Tick the ones you have practised.

• 1.A natural minor in position

  4 min · 50 → 70 BPM

  1. Put your index finger on fret 5 of the 6th string (A, the root).
  2. Play ascending: 6th string 5, 7, 8; 5th string 5, 7, 8; 4th string 5, 7, 9; 3rd string 5, 7, 9; 2nd string 5, 6, 8; 1st string 5, 7, 8.
  3. Use alternate picking and name each note.
  4. Descend the same way.

  You have it when

  • All notes ring clearly at 60 BPM with strict alternate picking.
  I practised this one

• 2.Same notes, new home

  4 min

  1. Play the A minor position, then stop and play it again, ending the run on C (6th string fret 8 or 5th string fret 3) instead of A.
  2. Listen: the same notes sound minor when A is home and major when C is home.
  3. Say aloud: 'A minor and C major have the same notes'.

  You have it when

  • You can hear the difference when you resolve to A and when you resolve to C.
  I practised this one

• 3.A minor melody

  4 min · 60 → 90 BPM

  1. Learn the short melody in the lesson, using the first two strings.
  2. Play it slowly and note that it ends on A, the root.
  3. Play it over a held Am chord.

  You have it when

  • You can play the melody smoothly and end on the root.
  I practised this one

Start at 50 BPM, eighth notes. The stretch on the D and G strings needs patience: slow down until your fingers settle. Target 70 to 80 BPM.

• Thinking of minor as a completely separate set of notes. A natural minor uses the same notes as C major. What changes is which note feels like home.
• Always starting on the lowest note in the shape. Practise starting and ending on different notes within the shape. Roots are what matter.
• Pushing through the stretch in the D and G strings. Keep the hand relaxed. If the pinky stretch hurts, slow down and take breaks.

The minor scale is the pitch set behind the minor chords in a key. In A minor, the chords Am, Dm, Em, F, G and C all come from these seven notes. House of the Rising Sun is in A minor and you can hear that sound in its chords.

Try it in: House of the Rising Sun.

Short version (10 minutes)

Play A natural minor in position at 60 BPM for four minutes, then end on C once.

Standard version (about 30 minutes)

Do all three exercises, then play G major and A natural minor and compare the ♭3, ♭6 and ♭7 positions.

• Natural minor: W H W W H W W.
• Compared with major it has a ♭3, ♭6 and ♭7.
• A natural minor and C major share notes: relative keys.
• Which note is home decides major or minor.

You are ready to move on when you can honestly say:

• I can say the natural minor formula and its differences from major.
• I can play A natural minor in position at 60 BPM.
• I can explain how A minor and C major are related.