Notes in the A Natural Minor scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tonic |
| 2 | B | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | C | Mediant |
| 4 | D | Subdominant |
| 5 | E | Dominant |
| ♭6 | F | Submediant |
| ♭7 | G | Subtonic |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: A B C D E F G.
A Natural Minor scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
As a key, A Natural Minor has no sharps or flats.
Chords in the A Natural Minor scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Am | Am7 |
| ii° | B° | Bø7 |
| III | C | Cmaj7 |
| iv | Dm | Dm7 |
| v | Em | Em7 |
| VI | F | Fmaj7 |
| VII | G | G7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Looking for the chords? The key of A minor page lists every chord in the key, common progressions, related keys and the best capo position.
Related scales
- Relative major: C Major
- Parallel major: A Major
- Harmonic minor: A Harmonic Minor
- Melodic minor: A Melodic Minor
How to practise the A Natural Minor scale
Learn it next to its relative major: the notes are the same set, so the fingering changes little. Play it up and down, then compare the sound with the major scale on the same root.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the A Natural Minor scale?
The notes of the A Natural Minor scale are A B C D E F G.
What is the formula for the A Natural Minor scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
How many sharps or flats does A Natural Minor have?
A Natural Minor has no sharps or flats.
What chords are in the A Natural Minor scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F, G.
More A scales
A Major, A Harmonic Minor, A Melodic Minor, A Dorian, A Phrygian, A Lydian, A Mixolydian, A Locrian, A Major Pentatonic, A Minor Pentatonic, A Blues, A Lydian Dominant, A Altered, A Whole Tone, A Dorian ♭2, A Lydian Augmented, A Mixolydian ♭6, A Locrian ♯2, A Phrygian Dominant, A Hungarian Minor, A Double Harmonic, A Diminished (W–H), A Diminished (H–W), A Bebop Dominant, A Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.