This guitar scale reference contains the notes, formula, structure, positions, chords, and modes for the A Minor scale. For an in-depth lesson on the minor scale, please see Minor Scale Positions & Theory.
Notes of A Minor Scale
The A Minor Scale is the only minor scale that contains all natural notes with no sharps or flats.
A – B – C – D – E – F – G
Scale Formula
| Intervals | Root | Major 2nd | Minor 3rd | Perfect 4th | Perfect 5th | Minor 6th | Minor 7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
Scale Structure
A Minor is a minor scale and follows the minor scale structure of whole and half step intervals:
W H W W H W W
Scale Positions
The diagrams below outline the 5 CAGED positions for the A Minor scale.
Position 1
Position 2
Position 3
Position 4
Position 5
Chords in the Key of A Minor
| Degree | i | ii° | III | iv | v | VI | VI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord | Am | Bdim | C | Dm | Em | F | G |
| Chord Notes | A – C – E | B – D – F | C – E – G | D – F – A | E – G – B | F – A – C | G – B – D |
Relative and Parallel Scales
Relative Major of A Minor: C Major | C – Dm – Em – F – G -Am – Bdim
Parallel Major of A Minor: A Major | A – Bm – C#m – D – E – F#m – G#dim
Modes
The following are the modes of A Minor:
- C Ionian (Major)
- D Dorian (Minor)
- E Phrygian (Minor)
- F Lydian (Major)
- G Mixolydian (Major)
- A Aeolian (Minor)
- B Locrian (Minor)
