A Minor Scale
A minor is arguably the most iconic minor key in Western music. It contains no sharps or flats (it shares a key signature with C major) and sits naturally under the fingers on both piano and guitar. Its raw, emotionally open quality has made it the default key for rock anthems and folk ballads across centuries.
Notes in A Natural Minor
The A natural minor scale contains: A — B — C — D — E — F — G. Natural minor follows the interval formula T–S–T–T–S–T–T (whole-half-whole-whole-half-whole-whole), producing the characteristic 'darkened' 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees compared to the parallel major scale.
Key Signature & Relatives
A minor and C major share the same key signature (no sharps or flats), but their tonal centres are different — one feels resolved and bright, the other dark and introspective. The parallel major (A major) shares the same root but has a completely different set of notes.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords built from A natural minor are:
In detail: A minor, B diminished, C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major. In natural minor, the i, iv, and v chords are minor, and the III, VI, and VII chords are major — the opposite pattern to major keys.
Famous Songs in A Minor
These well-known recordings are written or based in A minor:
- "Stairway to Heaven" – Led Zeppelin
- "Losing My Religion" – R.E.M.
- "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
- "House of the Rising Sun" – The Animals
Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor
The natural minor scale (shown above) is the most common form. The harmonic minor raises the 7th degree by a half step, creating a leading tone that pulls strongly back to the root — it adds a classical, exotic tension. The melodic minor raises both the 6th and 7th when ascending (then returns to natural minor when descending), smoothing out the awkward interval of the harmonic minor. Open the scale explorer to hear all three variants in A.
How to Practise A Minor
The A natural minor scale is identical to the A Aeolian mode. Practise it as Am pentatonic first (A–C–D–E–G), then add the 2nd (B) and 6th (F) to fill in the full scale. This reveals how pentatonic 'lives inside' the natural minor scale.
FAQs
What notes are in the A minor scale?
The A natural minor scale contains: A — B — C — D — E — F — G. It uses the Aeolian mode interval formula: W–H–W–W–H–W–W.
What chords are in the key of A minor?
The diatonic chords of A minor are: A minor, B diminished, C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major. The i chord (Am) is the home chord; the VI and VII (F, G) are the most common major chords in this key.
What is the relative major of A minor?
The relative major of A minor is C major. They share the same notes and key signature (no sharps or flats) but have different tonal centres.
What is the difference between A natural minor and A harmonic minor?
A harmonic minor raises the 7th degree by a semitone, creating a leading tone that strongly resolves to the root. This adds classical tension and is particularly useful for creating a V chord in a minor key.
Is A minor the same as C major?
They share the same notes and key signature, but they are different scales. A minor is centred on A (it sounds 'home' when resting on A), while C major is centred on C. The emotional character of the two scales is completely different.