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

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

G – A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

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 G aeolian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

G Aeolian Mode Using The Parallel Approach

G Major has the following notes:

G – A – B – C – D – E – F#

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

G – A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

G Aeolian Mode Using The Derivative Approach

G is the 6th note of the Bb major scale:

Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A

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

G – A – Bb – C – D – Eb – F

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

G Aeolian in the Open Position

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

G Aeolian Mode Open Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode Open Position Notes

G Aeolian CAGED Positions

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

G Aeolian 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

G Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode 2nd Position Notes

G Aeolian 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)

G Aeolian Mode 5th Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode 5th Position Notes

Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

G Aeolian Mode 6th Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode 6th Position Notes

Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)

G Aeolian Mode 10th Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode 10th Position Notes

Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)

G Aeolian Mode 11th Position Frets
G Aeolian Mode 11th Position Notes

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

Further Reading

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