A Minor Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The A natural minor scale is A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7. Start with the root on the low E string at the 5th fret, then learn the five positions below, from the G shape at the 2nd fret up the neck.

Keys

A Minor Scale: 5 Positions

9C shape
12A shape
2G shape
5E shape
7D shape

CAGED Chords — Am

9C shape
12A shape
2G shape
5E shape
7D shape

Triads — Am

Root position

9C shape
12A shape
2G shape
5E shape

Notes and formula

Degree12♭345♭6♭7
NoteABCDEFG

A minor has no sharps or flats.

The A minor scale across the whole neck

Every A minor scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E on the low E string, fret 0; F on the low E string, fret 1; G on the low E string, fret 3; A (root) on the low E string, fret 5; B on the low E string, fret 7; C on the low E string, fret 8; D on the low E string, fret 10; E on the low E string, fret 12; F on the low E string, fret 13; G on the low E string, fret 15; A (root) on the A string, fret 0; B on the A string, fret 2; C on the A string, fret 3; D on the A string, fret 5; E on the A string, fret 7; F on the A string, fret 8; G on the A string, fret 10; A (root) on the A string, fret 12; B on the A string, fret 14; C on the A string, fret 15; D on the D string, fret 0; E on the D string, fret 2; F on the D string, fret 3; G on the D string, fret 5; A (root) on the D string, fret 7; B on the D string, fret 9; C on the D string, fret 10; D on the D string, fret 12; E on the D string, fret 14; F on the D string, fret 15; G on the G string, fret 0; A (root) on the G string, fret 2; B on the G string, fret 4; C on the G string, fret 5; D on the G string, fret 7; E on the G string, fret 9; F on the G string, fret 10; G on the G string, fret 12; A (root) on the G string, fret 14; B on the B string, fret 0; C on the B string, fret 1; D on the B string, fret 3; E on the B string, fret 5; F on the B string, fret 6; G on the B string, fret 8; A (root) on the B string, fret 10; B on the B string, fret 12; C on the B string, fret 13; D on the B string, fret 15; E on the high e string, fret 0; F on the high e string, fret 1; G on the high e string, fret 3; A (root) on the high e string, fret 5; B on the high e string, fret 7; C on the high e string, fret 8; D on the high e string, fret 10; E on the high e string, fret 12; F on the high e string, fret 13; G on the high e string, fret 15.

A Minor scale, frets 0–15. Roots (A) in green.

The root, A, sits on the low E string at fret 5 and on the A string open and at fret 12. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

All six open strings are notes of A minor, so open strings ring true anywhere in the key.

Position by position: G shape from the 2nd fret; E shape from the 5th fret; D shape from the 7th fret; C shape from the 9th fret; A shape from the 12th fret. The A shape is shown at the 12th fret; it also works twelve frets lower, in open position.

Chords in A minor

The chords of A minor are i Am, ii° B°, III C, iv Dm, v Em, VI F and VII G.

Common minor progressions here are i–iv–v (Am, Dm, Em) and i–VI–III–VII (Am, F, C, G). Songs in A minor often swap Em for a major V chord, which comes from the harmonic minor.

Its relative major is C major, with the same notes centred on the third.

The nearest keys are a fifth away: E minor differs by one note: F♯ instead of F; D minor differs by one note: B♭ instead of B.

To learn it, play the G shape from the 2nd fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on A at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

A Minor scale FAQs

Which notes make up the A natural minor scale?

A, B, C, D, E, F and G. The formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.

What is the relative major of A minor?

C major. It has the same notes as A natural minor, starting from the third, C.

Where do I play the A natural minor scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the 5th fret. The G shape from the 2nd fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The natural minor scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the guitar scale lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.