A Aeolian Mode

The A Aeolian Mode has a minor quality due to its minor Third C. The Aeolian Mode, like A Aeolian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, A in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as A Aeolian Mode in this example. A Aeolian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, A, B, C, D, E, F, G. The A Aeolian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Aeolian Mode later became known as the Natural Minor Scale. A Aeolian Mode is therefore identical to the A Natural Minor Scale.

Below you will find the A Aeolian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the A Aeolian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Notes Ascending

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

Notes Descending

A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A

Notation Ascending

Notation Descending

Pattern Ascending

T, S, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, T, S, T, T, S, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
A1Tonic
B2Supertonic
C3Mediant
D4Subdominant
E5Dominant
F6Submediant
G7Subtonic
A8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
A8Tonic (Octave)
G7Subtonic
F6Submediant
E5Dominant
D4Subdominant
C3Mediant
B2Supertonic
A1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
A > A0Perfect Unison (P1)
A > B2Major 2nd (M2)
A > C3minor 3rd (m3)
A > D5Perfect 4th (P4)
A > E7Perfect 5th (P5)
A > F8minor 6th (m6)
A > G10minor 7th (m7)
A > A12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
A > A0Perfect Unison (P1)
A > G2Major 2nd (M2)
A > F4Major 3rd (M3)
A > E5Perfect 4th (P4)
A > D7Perfect 5th (P5)
A > C9Major 6th (M6)
A > B10minor 7th (m7)
A > A12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to A Aeolian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the A Aeolian Mode but different spelling.

G♯ Aeolian Mode

Chords related to A Aeolian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the A Aeolian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

i Chord - A Minor

iio Chord - B Diminished

III Chord - C Major

iv Chord - D Minor

v Chord - E Minor

VI Chord - F Major

VII Chord - G Major

Learn to Play A Aeolian Mode

Instrument View

See A Aeolian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

Learn more about Music Theory

More to learn