A AEOLIAN MODE

‘A Aeolian’ is the 6th mode of the C major scale. The notes in A Aeolian are:

A – B – C – D – E – F – G

If you have read the post on understanding the aeolian mode, you will know that the aeolian mode contains a ‘flat 3′, a ‘flat 6′ and a ‘flat 7′ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 6th mode of the major scale (derivative approach). The aeolian mode is a very commonly used mode and is also known as the ‘natural minor scale’. Let’s briefly look at how to construct A aeolian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

A Major has the following notes:

A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#

If we ‘lower’ the 3rd note (C#), 6th note (F#) and 7th note (G#), we get the following:

A – B – C – D – E – F – G

Derivative Approach:

A is the 6th note of the C major scale:

C – D – E – F – G – A – B

If we play the C major scale and start on the 6th note we get the following:

A – B – C – D – E – F – G

Let’s look at the A aeolian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at A aeolian in the 1st position (lowest fret is 1)

Now let’s look at A aeolian in the 4th position (lowest fret is 4)

Now let’s look at A aeolian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)

Now let’s look at A aeolian in the 8th position (lowest fret is 8)

Finally, let’s look at A aeolian in the 12th position (lowest fret is 12)

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of A aeolian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the aeolian mode, check out aeolian mode explained.