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The Aeolian Mode is the purest form of the minor scale. All other minor scales are compared to this, and it is known as

a 'relative' minor to the Parent Major Scale.

Scale Equation

I II III IV V VI VII I

A Major A B C# D E F# G# A

A Aeolian A B C D E F G A

Modal Equation 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 1

Basic Observations

As I mentioned in the intro, this mode is also known as the 'Pure Minor' scale so of course it has the b3, it also has the

b7 which the other minor modes have, but it also has the b6.

Key Tone = b6

The b6 is the note that gives this mode it's flavour. Carlos Santana is a great one to listen to the b6 in action! It has a

little bit of the Phrygian Spanish kinda flavour too...

Common Chords associated with the Aeolian Mode:

Minor type chords: Dominant chords minor, min7, min9, min11, min7#5, but NOT min13 (the 6th is the same as the

13th right, so Aeolian's b6 would clash with the 13!)

Parent Major Scale (PMS)

The PMS of the Aeolian Mode is found a

Minor 3rd above the tonal centre.

The easiest way to do this is on the neck.

Put your first finger on the TONALCENTRE on the 6th string and add your

fingers one finger per fret, and your little

finger will be on the Parent Major Scale.

Doing things like the on the instrument is

FAR easier than trying to do in theory in

your head. So do it! Look for the easy

path.

Note Choices

Over the minor chord the only note that needs attention is the b6 degree, it sounds fine to pass through but resting on

it can sound a little strange. Just a little out. It's possible to make it work, but actually it is possible to make even themost out sounds work, it's all about context.

Like with all theory stuff, you MUST try it and hear it for yourself or it will never really make sense. It's ONLY your ears

that can tell you when you can use a certain sound.

Practice

This diagram shows a Major Scale with the chord tones of the Aeolian Minor chord

(in red). The red notes make up the TONAL CENTRE. The R showing the root of the

TONAL CENTRE. The black notes make up the Aeolian Mode.

The scale is of course, the Major Scale, Position 1 - which we use for all of learning

about modes, so you can see clearly how the one scale gets used for each mode

(it's a lot better way to learn them than having a different shape for each).

Put the scale with your first finger in the 7th fret (C Major, the root note is in the

8th fret of course) and play it over an Amin (or Amin7) chord (or other chords in

the Common Chords shown above). Ideally you should record yourself a backing

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SC-516 The Aeolian Mode

Justinguitar.com on Scales

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track, jam with a friend, or use the Aeolian vamp (Track 10) on Really Useful

Play Along Tracks.

Listen to how well the red notes sound over the chord and that the other notes link

up the red notes and add flavours... make sure you try out resting on the b6 sound

(the note F) and listen to how it sounds and the effect it has. It's contains some

tension, and you need to learn how to treat it.

This listening is the key to getting modes in your head and understanding how to

use them. Let your ears teach you how to use the sound of the mode.

The Aeolian mode is not one I personally dig too much. Not really relevant because there are few people who make it

sound awesome, Carlos Santana being the only one that springs immediately to mind, but I'm sure there are more...

However it is often used to play over minor sequences in minor keys. I don't think of this as modal play, it kind of is I

guess, but it's really the using of the scale over the one tonal centre that really makes it modal. And often in the key of

A minor you will encounter the E7 chord (perfect cadence of E7 leading to A minor) and when you introduce the E7 it

contains the note G# which is not found in the Aeolian Mode, it comes from the Harmonic or Melodic Minor, which are

the more commonly used. For more about that check out - SC-130 Demystify The Minor Scales - which should

give you a better understanding of the relationships between the minors.

Once you start talking keys there are many examples of people using the Aeolian Mode, lots of the neo-classical guys

and rock metal players use it in the sad minor songs!

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