About the D Natural Minor Scale
The D natural minor scale is a 7-note scale. Also known as Aeolian mode, sad and dark sound. Its notes are D, E, F, G, A, A# and C, built from the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Notes
- D – E – F – G – A – A# – C
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- Steps
- W H W W H W W (2–1–2–2–1–2–2 semitones)
- Root
- D
D Natural Minor Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root |
| 2 | E | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | G | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | A | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | A# | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | C | Minor 7th |
Where to play the D Natural Minor Scale on bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (D) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E1 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| A1 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
How to practice the natural minor scale
- Learn all 7 positions across the neck
- Practice 3-note-per-string patterns
- Work on legato runs with hammer-ons
- Play over minor progressions (i-iv-v)
- Focus on the ♭6 and ♭7 characteristic tones
Scales with the same notes as D Natural Minor Scale
These scales share every note with the D natural minor scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Natural Minor scale in other keys
Other scales in D
- D Minor Pentatonic
- D Major Pentatonic
- D Mixolydian Pentatonic
- D Major (Ionian)
- D Blues
- D Dorian
- D Mixolydian
- D Phrygian
- D Harmonic Minor
- D Lydian
- D Locrian
- D Diminished (Half-Whole)
- D Diminished (Whole-Half)
- D Whole Tone
- D Augmented (Hexatonic)
- D Altered (Super Locrian)
- D Phrygian Dominant
- D Lydian Dominant
- D Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- D Bebop Dominant
- D Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- D Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)