About the G Natural Minor Scale
The G natural minor scale is a 7-note scale. Also known as Aeolian mode, sad and dark sound. Its notes are G, A, A#, C, D, D# and F, built from the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Notes
- G – A – A# – C – D – D# – F
- 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
- G
G Natural Minor Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Root |
| 2 | A | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | A# | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | C | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | D | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | D# | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | F | Minor 7th |
Where to play the G Natural Minor Scale on 6-string bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (B E A D G C), lowest string first. Root notes (G) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| B0 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 |
| E1 | 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 |
| A1 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| C3 | 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 G Natural Minor Scale
These scales share every note with the G 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 G
- G Minor Pentatonic
- G Major Pentatonic
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic
- G Major (Ionian)
- G Blues
- G Dorian
- G Mixolydian
- G Phrygian
- G Harmonic Minor
- G Lydian
- G Locrian
- G Diminished (Half-Whole)
- G Diminished (Whole-Half)
- G Whole Tone
- G Augmented (Hexatonic)
- G Altered (Super Locrian)
- G Phrygian Dominant
- G Lydian Dominant
- G Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- G Bebop Dominant
- G Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- G Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)