Scale · Natural Minor

A Natural Minor scale

The A natural minor scale runs A B C D E F G — the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7, in steps of W H W W H W W (W a whole tone, H a semitone). The right hand plays it 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and the left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, over one octave.

Notes
A B C D E F G
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
Steps
W H W W H W W
Relative major
C Major

On the keyboard

The A Natural Minor scale on the piano keyboard: A B C D E F G12312345ABCDEFGA

The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.

Fingering, one octave

DegreeNoteRight handLeft hand
1A15
2B24
3C33
4D12
5E21
6F33
7G42
8A51

Ascending, right hand 1–2–3–1–2–3–4–5; left hand 5–4–3–2–1–3–2–1. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.

The key of A Minor

This scale is the key of A Minor: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.

A in the other forms

Natural Minor scales on every root

Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.