‘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 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 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)
Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)
Now let’s look at G aeolian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)
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
- Gm chord (G Aeolian works well over this chord)
- Gm7 chord (G Aeolian works well over this chord)
- Bb Major scale is the relative Major of G minor
