The Minor Scales Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (01:01) Intro Jam Dave MacKenzie jams over the backing track entitled "Rock Track in Em" to demonstrate how the E Phrygian, E natural minor, and A natural minor scales can be combined within a single improvised solo.
Chapter 2: (01:40) Minor Scale Introduction In this lesson, Dave introduces a brand new scale. This scale can be referred to by two names. This scale is most commonly referred to as the natural minor scale. However, this scale is identical to what is referred to as the Aeolian mode.

Note: For more information pertaining to the modes of the major scale, please visit Brad Henecke's Phase 2 Classic Rock set of lessons.

There are several important reasons for learning the natural minor scale. This scale is used in countless rock and metal solos. Learning the natural minor scales will also help finger dexterity and your overall knowledge of the fretboard. In later lessons, you will learn how other important scales such as the minor pentatonic are derived from this essential seven-note diatonic scale.

Natural Minor Patterns

Similar to the major scale patterns that you learned earlier, all of the patterns presented in this lesson span one octave across the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings. You will learn the natural minor scales that begin with natural root notes. These scale are played in the minor keys of E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Once you have learned how to play the natural minor scale in these keys, you should begin to practice the remaining five minor keys. These keys are F#, G#, Bb, and C# minor.

Music Theory

In comparison to the major scale, the minor scale features flatted 3rd, 6th, and 7th scale degrees. Compare the spelling of the E major and E natural minor scale. E major is spelled as follows: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E.

E natural minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E.

When the note G# is flattened, it becomes a G natural. The same concept can be applied to the notes C# and D#. When flattened, these notes become C and D natural. This theoretical concept can be applied to any two parallel major and natural minor scales. Parallel keys are major and minor keys that have the same letter name or tonal center. Chapter 3: (10:38) Learning the Natural Minor Scale Review Time

You must have the note names along the six string memorized at this point. If you do not, take this time to go back and review them. As you learned in the major scales lesson, the root note of the scale determines where a particular scale pattern is located. You will not be able to transpose the minor scale pattern to all 12 keys if you do not have the note names memorized across the entire sixth string.

E Natural Minor in First Position

Dave first demonstrates a pattern for E natural minor played in first position. Do not be confused by the fact that this scale pattern does not feature any notes played at the first fret. Position simply refers to the area of the fretboard that a scale or chord is played in. The pattern used for E natural minor is different from the remaining scale patterns, because it contains a few notes played with open strings.

Note: Tablature and notation with proper left-hand fingerings to the scales presented in this lesson can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.

F Natural Minor Scale in First Position

The next scale that Dave demonstrates is the F natural minor scale. Notice how the notes on the fifth and sixth strings are played at the same fret locations. This feature of the scale will help you memorize it in a more efficient manner. Also, notice how this pattern contains no open string notes. When a scale or chord contains no open string notes, it can easily be transposed anywhere on the fretboard. For this reason, Dave utilizes the same fretboard pattern for the remaining natural minor scales presented in this lesson. Chapter 4: (02:14) Final Thoughts Once you have learned and memorized the scale patterns presented in this lesson, begin to incorporate them into your daily warm-up routine. Remember to warm-up with light scale practice each day before you work on repertoire.

Also, experiment with forming your own improvised melody lines within the natural minor pattern. Practice this process in all 12 possible keys. In future lessons, Dave will teach you a two-octave pattern of the natural minor scale that spans all six strings. Learning this two-octave pattern will multiply the possibilities available to you when improvising a solo.

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