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SCALE · ON BARITONE SAXOPHONE

A Natural Minor

The 'natural' minor — relative minor of the major scale built a minor third lower. Same notes as its relative major, different tonic.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave + major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A Natural Minor Verovio
Keyboard
ABCDEFGABCDEFGABCDEFGA
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Natural Minor scale?

The A Natural Minor scale uses the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Natural Minor scale formula?

The Natural Minor scale follows the interval pattern W H W W H W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Natural Minor scale.

What chords work over A Natural Minor?

Natural minor's diatonic chords: i minor, ii°, ♭III major, iv minor, v minor, ♭VI major, ♭VII major. The minor-v sounds modal; for stronger pull use V (from harmonic minor).

How do I finger A Natural Minor on Baritone Saxophone?

On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.

When would I use the Natural Minor scale?

The 'natural' minor — relative minor of the major scale built a minor third lower. Same notes as its relative major, different tonic.