‘E Sharp Aeolian’ is the 6th mode of the G sharp major scale. The notes in E# Aeolian are:
E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – C# – D#
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 E# aeolian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
E Sharp Aeolian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
E# Major has the following notes:
E# – Fx – Gx – A# – B# – Cx – Dx
If we ‘lower’ the 3rd note (Gx), 6th note (Cx) and 7th note (Dx), we get the following:
E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – C# – D#
E# Aeolian Mode Using The Derivative Approach
E# is the 6th note of the G# major scale:
G# – A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – Fx
If we play the G# major scale and start on the 6th note we get the following:
E# – Fx – G# – A# – B# – C# – D#
Let’s look at the E# aeolian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:
E# Aeolian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
E# Aeolian CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at E# aeolian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
E# Aeolian 3rd Position (Lowest Fret is 3)
E# Aeolian 4thPosition (Lowest Fret is 4)
E# Aeolian 8th Position (Lowest Fret is 8)
E# Aeolian 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
E# Aeolian 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of E# aeolian along the guitar fretboard. For an in depth explanation of the aeolian mode, check out aeolian mode explained.
