Scale Charts › A Minor scale

A Minor scale on guitar

A Minor is a seven-note natural minor scale (the Aeolian mode). Its notes are A, B, C, D, E, F and G (1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7). It is the sound of most minor-key rock, pop and metal, and it shares its notes with its relative major. The A roots sit at fret 5 on the low E string.

How to practice it

1. Start at fret 5 on the low E string and play the box from low to high and back.
2. Say or think the note names as you play until the roots jump out.
3. Play it over a backing track in the same key and aim for the root on strong beats.
4. Chords in the key: Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F and G.

Questions

What notes are in the A Minor scale?

A, B, C, D, E, F and G. The formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

Where do I start A Minor on guitar?

Put your first finger on A at fret 5 of the low E string; the root is also at fret 12 of the A string. Learn that box first, then link it to the next one up the neck.

What is the relative major of A Minor?

C Major. It uses the same notes starting from a different root.

Also try: C Major scale · A Minor · Scale Charts