Modes · Aeolian
The Aeolian mode
Sad, dark, serious. Aeolian is the natural minor scale. It's the reference minor, the way Ionian is the reference major. Hear it over its own chords, in any key.
Jam: start the loop, then play the computer keys A S D F G H J K L: each one is the next note of the scale, so nothing you play is wrong. Or click the lit keys.Jam: start the loop and tap the lit keys. They’re all in the scale, so nothing you play is wrong.
The notes: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
A Aeolian is A B C D E F G: A to A on the white keys, the notes of C major.
Every natural minor scale, with its chords, is on the scales page; A Aeolian is A minor.
Where you hear it
Most minor-key pop and rock uses Aeolian, often with the i – ♭VI – ♭VII progression in the loop (Am – F – G). Classical music in minor keys usually raises the 7th instead: see the harmonic minor.
Its neighbours
From brightest to darkest, the modes go Lydian, Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, Phrygian, Locrian. Aeolian sits between Dorian and Phrygian. Compare them all from the same note on the modes page.
Aeolian in every key
| Scale | Notes | Same notes as |
|---|---|---|
| C Aeolian | C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ | E♭ major |
| C♯ Aeolian | C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B | E major |
| D Aeolian | D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C | F major |
| E♭ Aeolian | E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ | G♭ major |
| E Aeolian | E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D | G major |
| F Aeolian | F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ | A♭ major |
| F♯ Aeolian | F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D – E | A major |
| G Aeolian | G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F | B♭ major |
| G♯ Aeolian | G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ | B major |
| A Aeolian | A – B – C – D – E – F – G | C major |
| B♭ Aeolian | B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ | D♭ major |
| B Aeolian | B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A | D major |
Exploring modes on a real piano? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a rhythm that drifts. Then it shows you how it should go.
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Questions people ask
What are the notes of A Aeolian?
A, B, C, D, E, F, G: the white keys from A to A, the notes of C major.
What is the formula for the Aeolian mode?
1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. Aeolian is the natural minor scale.
What does the Aeolian mode sound like?
Sad, dark, serious. Every natural minor scale, with its chords, is on the scales page; A Aeolian is A minor.
How do I find Aeolian in any key?
Start the major scale on its 6th note. Or play the natural minor scale from your root and change nothing: it's the natural minor. The table on this page has all twelve.