A SHARP AEOLIAN MODE

‘A Sharp Aeolian’ is the 6th mode of the C sharp 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# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx

If we ‘lower’ the 3rd note (Cx), 6th note (Fx) and 7th note (Gx), 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:

There is no ‘open’ position for A# Aeolian (no notes can be played on the open strings)

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

Now let’s look at A# aeolian in the 2nd position (lowest fret is 2)

Now let’s look at A# aeolian in the 5th position (lowest fret is 5)

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

Finally, let’s look at A# aeolian in the 9th position (lowest fret is 9)

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.