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

‘B aeolian’ is the 6th mode of the D major scale. The notes in B aeolian are:

B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A

If you have read the post on understanding the aeolian mode, you will know that the aeolian mode contains a ‘flat 3’, ‘flat 6’ and ‘flat 7’ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 6th mode of the Major scale (derivative approach). Let’s briefly look at how to construct B aeolian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

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

B Aeolian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

B Major has the following notes:

B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A#

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

B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A

B Aeolian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

B is the 6th note of the D major scale:

D – E – F# – G – A – B – C#

If we play the D Major scale and start on the 6th note we get the following:

B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A

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

B Aeolian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

B Aeolian Mode Open Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode Open Position Notes

B Aeolian Mode CAGED Positions

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

B Aeolian in the 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

B Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Notes

B Aeolian in the 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)

B Aeolian Mode 3rd Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode 3rd Position Notes

B Aeolian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)

B Aeolian Mode 6th Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode 6th Position Notes

B Aeolian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)

B Aeolian Mode 9th Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode 9th Position Notes

B Aeolian in the 10th Position (Lowest Fret is 10)

B Aeolian Mode 10th Position Frets
B Aeolian Mode 10th Position Notes

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of B aeolian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the aeolian mode, check out aeolian mode explained.

Further Reading

  • Bm chord (B aeolian works well over this chord)
  • Bm7 chord B aeolian works well over this chord)
  • D Major scale (B Aeolian is the sixth mode of the D Major scale)

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