A♯ natural minor scale
The A♯ natural minor scale, also known as the A♯ Aeolian mode, features seven sharps (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 B♭ natural minor scale. While theoretically valid, this scale is almost always written as B♭ natural minor in practice due to its simpler notation with five flats instead of seven sharps.
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 progression creates the same melancholic sound as its enharmonic equivalent, B♭ natural minor, but with a more complex notation using seven sharps and a double sharp.
A♯ natural minor is primarily of theoretical interest, as its enharmonic equivalent B♭ natural minor is strongly preferred in practice. The scale's complex notation, requiring seven sharps including the rarely used B♯, makes it impractical for most musical applications. However, understanding this scale is valuable for comprehensive music theory study, particularly in exploring enharmonic relationships and the complete cycle of keys. The scale demonstrates why certain key signatures are preferred over others in practical music writing, even when they represent the same pitches.
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-sharp 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