F natural minor (aeolian) scale
How to play the F natural minor (aeolian) scale
F Natural minor (Aeolian)F · G · G♯ · A♯ · C · C♯ · D♯ · F
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
F natural minor (aeolian) scale — notes and structure
The F natural minor (aeolian) scale is the natural minor (Aeolian) scale — the darker, sadder counterpart to the major scale.
The F natural minor (aeolian) scale consists of the notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Its interval structure is R–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–♭7 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · half · whole · whole · half · whole · whole — the shape that makes it the natural minor (aeolian) scale in any key.
Play the 7 notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭ in order from the root F; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Chords in the F natural minor (aeolian) scale
Stack the scale’s own notes in thirds and you get these seven chords — the harmony available to you without leaving the scale.
It shares its notes with the G♯ major scale — the same seven notes, a different home note.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the F natural minor (aeolian) scale?
- The F natural minor (aeolian) scale has the 7 notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. It is the natural minor (Aeolian) scale — the darker, sadder counterpart to the major scale.
- How many notes are in the F natural minor (aeolian) scale?
- 7 notes: F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭.
- What is the natural minor (aeolian) scale used for?
- The natural minor (aeolian) scale is the natural minor (Aeolian) scale — the darker, sadder counterpart to the major scale — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.
- What chords are in the F natural minor (aeolian) scale?
- Stacking the scale's own notes in thirds gives Fm (i), Gdim (ii°), G♯ (III), A♯m (iv), Cm (v), C♯ (VI), D♯ (VII).