fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

D 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 D Aeolian Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DGDGBD
35791215DGDGBDDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭DEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDEFGAB♭CDDEFGAB♭CDEF
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 D Aeolian scale?

The D Aeolian scale uses the notes D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C (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 D to get the D Aeolian scale.

What chords work over D 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 D 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.