Aeolian Mode
The Aeolian Mode has a minor quality due to its minor Third E♭. The Aeolian Mode, like 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 Aeolian Mode in this example. Aeolian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The 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. Aeolian Mode is therefore identical to the Natural Minor Scale.
Below you will find the Aeolian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the Aeolian Mode on your preferred instrument.
Notes Ascending
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C
Notes Descending
C, B♭, A♭, G, F, E♭, D, C
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
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | Tonic |
| D | 2 | Supertonic |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
Degrees Descending
| Note | Number | Name |
|---|---|---|
| C | 8 | Tonic (Octave) |
| B♭ | ♭7 | Subtonic |
| A♭ | ♭6 | Submediant |
| G | 5 | Dominant |
| F | 4 | Subdominant |
| E♭ | ♭3 | Mediant |
| D | 2 | Supertonic |
| C | 1 | Tonic |
Intervals Ascending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > D | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > E♭ | 3 | minor 3rd (m3) |
| C > F | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > G | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > A♭ | 8 | minor 6th (m6) |
| C > B♭ | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Intervals Descending
| Notes | Semitones | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C > C | 0 | Perfect Unison (P1) |
| C > B♭ | 2 | Major 2nd (M2) |
| C > A♭ | 4 | Major 3rd (M3) |
| C > G | 5 | Perfect 4th (P4) |
| C > F | 7 | Perfect 5th (P5) |
| C > E♭ | 9 | Major 6th (M6) |
| C > D | 10 | minor 7th (m7) |
| C > C | 12 | Perfect Octave (P8) |
Modes related to C Aeolian Mode
Enharmonic Equivalent Mode
Scale with the same root and notes as the C Aeolian Mode but different spelling.
B♯ Aeolian Mode
Chords related to C Aeolian Mode
Related Triads
These chords have been built using the notes of the C Aeolian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).
i Chord - C Minor
iio Chord - D Diminished
♭III Chord - E♭ Major
iv Chord - F Minor
v Chord - G Minor
♭VI Chord - A♭ Major
♭VII Chord - B♭ Major
Learn to Play Aeolian Mode
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.
