fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TROMBONE

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
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 A𝄪 Natural Minor
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 title A𝄪 Natural Minor
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
A𝄪1234567partial 3
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — A𝄪 sounds partial 3
partial 1 — E1 (+0¢)1partial 2 — E2 (+0¢)2partial 3 — B2 (+2¢)3partial 4 — E3 (+0¢)4partial 5 — G♯3 (-14¢)5partial 6 — B3 (+2¢)6partial 7 — D4 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — E4 (+0¢)8partial 9 — F♯4 (+4¢)9partial 10 — G♯4 (-14¢)10partial 11 — A♯4 (-49¢)11-49¢partial 12 — B4 (+2¢)12
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𝄪 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 Trombone?

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 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.