fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TENOR HORN

D Aeolian

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 3 title D Aeolian Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

Audio source: synthesised in-browser via Tone.js (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
D123partial 3
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — D sounds partial 3
partial 1 — G2 (+0¢)1partial 2 — G3 (+0¢)2partial 3 — D4 (+2¢)3partial 4 — G4 (+0¢)4partial 5 — B4 (-14¢)5partial 6 — D5 (+2¢)6partial 7 — F5 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — G5 (+0¢)8
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 Tenor Horn?

On brass, scales train embouchure + valve / slide coordination across the partials. Slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation tendencies (e.g., the 5th partial sharp on trumpet).

When would I use the Aeolian scale?

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