fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C Aeolian

Natural minor labelled as a mode — the other 'default' tonality.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave 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 C Aeolian Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DGDGBD
35791215DGDGBDDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭DE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭FGA♭B♭CDDE♭FGA♭B♭CDE♭F
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C Aeolian scale?

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

What's the Aeolian scale formula?

The Aeolian 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 C to get the C Aeolian scale.

What chords work over C Aeolian?

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 C Aeolian on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Aeolian scale?

Natural minor labelled as a mode — the other 'default' tonality.