A Major vs A Natural Minor
A natural minor is A major with a flat 3rd, 6th and 7th: C#, F# and G# become C, F and G. Both drawn on one guitar neck.
Tap any note on the neck.
Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.
A natural minor is A major with a flat 3rd, 6th and 7th: C#, F# and G# become C, F and G.
A major vs A natural minor: what is different
They share four notes and differ in three:
- The 3rd: C# in major, C in natural minor (3 → b3).
- The 6th: F# in major, F in natural minor (6 → b6).
- The 7th: G# in major, G in natural minor (7 → b7).
Shared by both: A B D E.
When to use which
Play both over the same chord and listen to the notes that differ. Whichever sounds right for the song is the answer; the names matter less than the ear. As a rule, the scale with the raised note sounds brighter or more tense, and the one with the lowered note sounds darker or more settled.
Hear the difference
- Both scales on one neck, the differing notes highlighted
- A major on its own, with positions and chords
- A natural minor on its own
- Loop A major position 1, then the same position in natural minor — listen for where the shapes part ways.
Free, no account needed. Change the key and both scales follow.
Find out what you should learn next. Five questions and Guitar Theory Studio builds you a four-week plan through the fretboard, chords, scales, arpeggios and ear training — week one free.
Build my free plan →