fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

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
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Tempo120 bpm

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

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A♭ Natural Minor Verovio
Keyboard
C♭F♭A♭B♭D♭E♭G♭
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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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 Viola?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

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.