fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON PIANO

A Aeolian

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

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

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A Aeolian Verovio
Keyboard
ABCDEFGA
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 A Aeolian scale?

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

What chords work over A 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 A Aeolian on Piano?

On piano, scales typically use a 1-2-3 / 1-2-3-4 thumb-under pattern for white-key scales. Black-key scales (F♯, G♭, etc.) shift the thumb-under positions onto white keys for ergonomic clearance. Hanon Exercise No. 1 and Czerny Op. 599 No. 1 work through the canonical pattern.

When would I use the Aeolian scale?

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