D natural minor scale
The minor scale, plain and simple: seven notes and the dark, wistful color of most songs in a minor key. Also called the Aeolian mode.
- Notes:
- D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C.
- Formula:
- 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7.
- Style:
- Rock, pop, ballads.
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate.
On the neck
Every note of the scale on the neck (choose 12, 15 or 19 frets). Click to listen.
High E at the top, just like in tab.Neck seen from the front, headstock at the top: low E on the left, just like a chord diagram.
Play the scale notes over it. Open in the Studio
Its color
The natural minor scale is the minor scale, plain and simple: the Aeolian mode. Its minor sixth, here B♭, gives it its melancholy. Remove the second and the sixth and you’re left with the minor pentatonic. It has the same notes as the F major scale, but starts on D.
Which chords to play it over
Play it over a D minor chord, or over the Dm, B♭, C, Dm progression, one of the most played in rock and pop.
Where you hear it
Anywhere things sound minor: rock, pop, ballads. Often-cited examples: “All Along the Watchtower” and “Losing My Religion” (R.E.M.).
Chords that go with it
The chords built on the notes of the scale: improvise with this scale over any progression that uses them.
Progressions to use it on
Loop the first one and improvise over it:
All 7 positions
Seven positions, one for each note of the mode, with three notes per string: the same shapes as the major scale, but the root (in orange) falls elsewhere. The characteristic note is in purple. Position 1 starts on the root, on the 6th string.
Position 1: frets 10 to 15
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|----------------------------------------------12-13-15-| B|-------------------------------------11-13-15----------| G|----------------------------10-12-14-------------------| D|-------------------10-12-14----------------------------| A|----------10-12-13-------------------------------------| E|-10-12-13----------------------------------------------|
Position 2: frets 0 to 5
It also works an octave higher, frets 12 to 17.
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------1-3-5-| B|-------------------------1-3-5-------| G|-------------------0-2-3-------------| D|-------------0-2-3-------------------| A|-------0-1-3-------------------------| E|-0-1-3-------------------------------|
Position 3: frets 1 to 6
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------3-5-6-| B|-------------------------3-5-6-------| G|-------------------2-3-5-------------| D|-------------2-3-5-------------------| A|-------1-3-5-------------------------| E|-1-3-5-------------------------------|
Position 4: frets 3 to 8
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------5-6-8-| B|-------------------------5-6-8-------| G|-------------------3-5-7-------------| D|-------------3-5-7-------------------| A|-------3-5-7-------------------------| E|-3-5-6-------------------------------|
Position 5: frets 5 to 10
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|--------------------------------6-8-10-| B|-------------------------6-8-10--------| G|-------------------5-7-9---------------| D|-------------5-7-8---------------------| A|-------5-7-8---------------------------| E|-5-6-8---------------------------------|
Position 6: frets 6 to 12
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|-------------------------------------8-10-12-| B|-----------------------------8-10-11---------| G|----------------------7-9-10-----------------| D|---------------7-8-10------------------------| A|--------7-8-10-------------------------------| E|-6-8-10--------------------------------------|
Position 7: frets 8 to 13
High E at the top, just like in tab; the numbers under the neck are fret numbers.
e|------------------------------------------10-12-13-| B|---------------------------------10-11-13----------| G|-------------------------9-10-12-------------------| D|-----------------8-10-12---------------------------| A|---------8-10-12-----------------------------------| E|-8-10-12-------------------------------------------|