A Sharp Aeolian Mode on the Guitar – 5 CAGED Positions, Tabs and Theory

‘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.

A sharp aeolian is often referred to as the A sharp natural minor scale. The natural minor scale is often viewed as the default minor scale for theoretical purposes.

A# Aeolian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

A# Major has the following notes:

A# – B# – Cx – D# – E# – Fx – Gx

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

A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – F# – G#

A# Aeolian Mode Using The 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:

A# Aeolian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

A Sharp Aeolian Mode Open Position Frets
A Sharp Aeolian Mode Open Position Notes

A# Aeolian Mode CAGED Positions

Now let’s look at A# aeolian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.

A# Aeolian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

A Sharp Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Frets
A Sharp Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Notes

A# Aeolian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)

A Sharp Aeolian Mode 5th Position Frets
A Sharp Aeolian Mode 5th Position Notes

A# Aeolian in the 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)

A Sharp Aeolian Mode 8th Position Frets
A Sharp Aeolian Mode 8th Position Notes

A# Aeolian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)

A Sharp Aeolian Mode 9th Position Frets
A Sharp Aeolian Mode 9th Position Notes

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.

Further Reading

  • A#m chord (A# aeolian works well over this chord)
  • A#m7 chord A# aeolian works well over this chord)
  • C# Major scale (A# Aeolian is the sixth mode of the C# Major scale)

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