Scales, Keys & Modes

Aeolian Mode

Pronounced ee-OH-lee-un

Definition

The Aeolian mode is the white keys from A to A, with the step pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. It has exactly the same notes as the natural minor scale.

The Aeolian mode is the natural minor scale under its modal name: on the white keys, A to A, A B C D E F G A. It is the sixth of the seven modes, starting on the 6th degree of the major scale, which is why A minor is the relative minor of C major.

Two treble-clef examples in 4/4. A Aeolian: quarter notes A B C D E F G A, numbered 1, 2, flat 3, 4, 5, flat 6, flat 7, 8. C Aeolian: C D E-flat F G A-flat B-flat C, with the same numbers. Curved lines join degrees 2–3 and 5–6. — A Aeolian on the white keys and C Aeolian, numbered against the major scale: the 3rd, 6th and 7th are lowered. The curved lines join the half steps, 2–♭3 and 5–♭6.

The step pattern

W – H – W – W – H – W – W

Measured against the major scale, Aeolian is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7. Among the minor modes it sits in the middle: Dorian raises the 6th and sounds a shade lighter, while Phrygian lowers the 2nd and sounds darker.

Aeolian or minor key?

The scale is the same, but the two words point to different habits. In a classical minor key, the 7th degree is usually raised at cadences (G♯ in A minor) so that the dominant chord is major and leads home firmly. Calling a piece Aeolian tells you it keeps the natural 7th: the chord on the 5th degree stays minor (E minor in A), and the chord on the 7th degree is major (G).

The Aeolian sound

Without a leading tone, Aeolian music reaches home through other chords. The progression i–♭VI–♭VII–i (Am, F, G, Am) is the classic Aeolian sound, common in rock and pop ballads and in film and game music. The move from ♭VII to i (G to Am) makes a strong ending without any raised note.

Grand staff in 3/2, two bars: half-note chords A minor, F major and G major, then a dotted-whole-note A minor chord, over bass notes A, F, G and A. Chord symbols above; i, flat VI, flat VII and i below the treble staff. — The classic Aeolian progression in A: A minor (i), F (♭VI), G (♭VII), A minor (i). It reaches home without a G♯; the G major chord rises straight to A minor.

Where it came from

Aeolian is common in folk music and in a great deal of rock and pop that stays in minor without raising the 7th. It was one of the two modes the Swiss theorist Heinrich Glarean added to the medieval eight in 1547, along with Ionian. Over the following centuries, with its 7th raised at cadences, it grew into the minor key.

Finding Aeolian in any key

Aeolian starts on the 6th degree of a major scale. To find any Aeolian mode, go up a minor third (three half steps) to its parent major key: E Aeolian uses the notes of G major, and C Aeolian those of E♭ major, C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C. The key signature is the same as the natural minor's.

A Aeolian: the white keys from A to A. G (coral) is the natural 7th, a whole step below the tonic; a minor key would often raise it to G♯.

Common questions

Is Aeolian the same as natural minor?

Yes: same notes, same step pattern. Aeolian is the modal name; natural minor is the name used in the major-minor system, where the 7th is often raised.

What chords are in the Aeolian mode?

In A Aeolian: Am, B°, C, Dm, Em, F and G (i, ii°, ♭III, iv, v, ♭VI and ♭VII). The minor v and the major ♭VII are what set it apart from a classical minor key.