There are three different methods you can use to find the notes in any mode. With enough practice, you’ll stop thinking of Aeolian as just the minor scale and you’ll be able to use it as a mode.Īs you might expect, the Aeolian mode works best when played over the top of a minor chord.

Practice changing back and forth between Aeolian and Dorian or Phrygian and you’ll learn to hear the unique qualities of Aeolian. This means Phrygian is darker/sadder than Aeolian. Aeolian uses a Major second while Phrygian uses a minor second. If you compare Aeolian with the Phrygian mode, the only difference is the second note. Because Aeolian uses a minor sixth, it’s a darker/sadder sounding mode compared to Dorian. Both Aeolian and Dorian use a b3 and a b7, which give them their dark/minor qualities. Aeolian uses a b6 (minor sixth) and Dorian uses a 6 (Major sixth).

If you compare Aeolian with the Dorian mode, the only difference is the sixth note. The best way to understand the Aeolian mode is to compare it against closely related modes. The formula for the Aeolian mode is: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7īecause so many guitarists are familiar with the sound of the Natural Minor Scale, the Aeolian mode will likely sound very familiar when you play it. Understanding mode formulas will help you understand the difference between each mode. The Aeolian mode can be understood with a formula that compares it against the Major scale.

This can be confusing at first, but if you have spent time learning about other modes, it will begin to make sense. Treat the Aeolian mode just like any other mode instead of thinking of it as the minor scale. While the Aeolian mode and the Natural Minor Scale use the same notes, thinking in modes is very different from thinking in scales. This means if you know any minor scales, you also know the Aeolian mode. This means the Aeolian mode can be built by looking at the sixth note of any Major scale.Īeolian mode uses the same notes as the Natural Minor Scale. The Aeolian mode is the sixth mode of the Major scale. 8.4 Related Guides and Lessons: What is the Aeolian Mode

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