A Minor

The natural minor scale (also called Aeolian) is one of the core sounds in tonal music. Its color is often heard as darker or more introspective than major, but its importance goes beyond mood: it defines a complete harmonic and melodic framework used across pop, rock, film music, folk, and classical repertoire.

Construction and formula

The natural minor scale uses the interval formula 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7, with the step pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W. In A natural minor, the notes are A-B-C-D-E-F-G. This is the same pitch collection as C major, and in modal terms it is heard as the 6th mode of the major scale when A functions as tonal center.

Harmonically, natural minor yields the diatonic family i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, and VII. Compared with major, the lowered third, sixth, and seventh create its characteristic color and change how cadences and melodic pull are perceived.

Musical usage

Melodically, natural minor supports expressive lines around b3, b6, and b7, while still keeping a clear tonic center on 1. Harmonically, it is common in modal pop and rock writing, and it also serves as the baseline minor system before introducing harmonic or alterations.