Natural minor scale
The natural minor scale refers to the Aeolian mode, which consists of the same notes as the major scale with the third note lowered by a half step. It is the basic minor scale, in contrast to the harmonic and melodic minor scales.
The natural minor scale has a minor third between the first and third notes. For example, in A natural minor the notes are:
`A B C D E F G A`
With a minor third between A and C.
The natural minor scale is characterized by a "lack of tension" compared to the harmonic and melodic minor scales , since it does not have a leading tone - a note one half step below the tonic. However it is commonly used, especially in popular music.
The natural minor scale has the same tones as the major scale, but uses the sixth tone of the major scale as its tonic. Thus, the semitones (half steps) are between the second and third tones and the fifth and sixth tones, e.g.:
C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat, B flat, C (ascending)
C, B flat, A flat, G, F, E flat, D, C (descending)
SCALE STEPS (IN SEMITONES OR HALF STEPS) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 c d eb f g ab bb c'
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