A♭ natural minor scale
The A♭ natural minor scale, also known as the A♭ Aeolian mode, features seven flats (A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭) in its key signature. It is the relative minor of the C♭ major scale. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to the G♯ natural minor scale, though this version is more commonly used in practice.
The scale follows the natural minor pattern: A♭ to B♭ (whole), B♭ to C♭ (half), C♭ to D♭ (whole), D♭ to E♭ (whole), E♭ to F♭ (half), F♭ to G♭ (whole), and G♭ to A♭ (whole). This creates the same haunting minor tonality as its enharmonic equivalent, G♯ natural minor, but with a more complex notation using seven flats.
While A♭ natural minor is primarily of theoretical interest, understanding its construction and relationship to other scales is valuable for comprehensive music theory study. The scale demonstrates why enharmonic equivalence is crucial in Western music theory, as it allows musicians to choose the most practical notation for performance and analysis. Most composers and performers prefer to write and read this scale as G♯ natural minor, which achieves the same sound with fewer accidentals.
A♭ natural minor scale details
Information and technical details of the scale.
- Category
- western
- Type
- Heptatonic (7 notes per octave)
- Intervals
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 1
- Formula
- 2-1-2-2-1-2-2
- Also known as
- A♭ Aeolian scale, A♭ Aeolian mode, A♭m natural scale, A-flat pure minor scale
- Enharmonic equivalents
Related scales
Here are some scales that are related to the A♭ natural minor scale. Or browse all piano scales.
A♭ harmonic minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-3-1
A♭ major scale
2-2-1-2-2-2-1
A♭ melodic minor scale
2-1-2-2-2-2-1