Minor
scale basics
In the constructing major
scales lesson, you learned that a major scale is just a series
of whole steps (2 frets) and half steps (1 fret). And if you take
the natural notes from C to C, this is a C major scale.
C major
scale
If you take those same notes (C D E F G A B) and
rearrange them to go from A to A, you create a different pattern
of whole steps and half steps. And if you take the natural notes
from A to A, this is an A minor scale. Specifically it is called
an A natural minor scale. There are a couple of other minor scales
(harmonic minor, and melodic minor), but what we are go to take
a look at in this lesson is just the plain natural minor scale.
A minor
scale
So an A natural minor scale is just the same notes
as a C major scale, only a minor scale starts and ends on the
6th degree of the major scale.
C
D E F G A B C - C major
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 1
2 3 4 5 6
A
B C D E F G A - A minor |
One idea that confuses a lot of people at first
is the idea that a C major scale, and an A minor scale have exactly
the same notes. What makes the difference is how those same notes
are used. Those same 7 notes can sound very different depending
on the situation.
Listen to the the 2 scales just by themselves
Now listen to both scales in relationship to a C chord, and to
an Am chord.
Page 2, The natural minor on
the neck of the guitar 
Natural minor scale jump zone
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