The Minor Scale
Natural minor pattern and its relationship to major
The Natural Minor Scale
The natural minor scale has a darker, moodier sound than the major scale. Its interval formula is:
Tone — Semitone — Tone — Tone — Semitone — Tone — Tone
Or: T S T T S T T
Applied to A minor: A (T) B (S) C (T) D (T) E (S) F (T) G (T) A
Notice something? A minor uses exactly the same notes as C major (C D E F G A B) — just starting on A instead of C. This is called the relative minor. Every major key has a relative minor that shares all the same notes.
Relative Major/Minor
The relative minor starts on the 6th degree of the major scale:
- C major → A minor (6th note of C major is A)
- G major → E minor
- D major → B minor
- F major → D minor
Same notes, different starting point, completely different mood. This relationship is incredibly useful: if you know a major scale, you already know a minor scale.
A Minor on Guitar
A minor in open position is the most guitar-friendly minor scale. It uses notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G — all natural notes, no sharps or flats.
The pattern spans from string 6 fret 5 (A) up through open strings and reaches string 1.
Tab Examples
A natural minor scale (open position)
e-------------------0--1--3-- B-------------0--1---------- G---------0--2-------------- D---0--2--3----------------- A--0--2--3------------------- E----------------------------
E natural minor scale (open position)
e--------------------0--2--3-- B---------------0--3---------- G-----------0--2-------------- D------0--2------------------- A--0--2--3-------------------- E--0--2--3--------------------
Tips
- T S T T S T T — the minor scale formula. Compare to major: T T S T T T S
- Every major key has a relative minor that uses exactly the same notes
- A minor = C major starting on A. E minor = G major starting on E.
- Minor scales sound sad, dark, intense — perfect for blues, rock, and metal
Practice Exercises
- Play A minor scale ascending and descending at 60 BPM
- Play C major scale, then A minor scale — hear the mood difference despite same notes
- Figure out E natural minor using the T S T T S T T formula
- Play A minor scale while a friend strums Am — hear how the notes fit