The A natural minor is another name for the A Aeolian mode. It contains exactly the same notes as the C major scale. The differe
nce is that it starts and finishes on an A note instead of a C note. The A note then becomes the key note. To highlight the difference, the degrees of the scale as they relate to the A major scale are written under the note names and the tone/semitone pattern is above the staff. Notice the flattened 3rd, 6th and 7th.
All natural minor scales follow the same pattern of tones and semitones:
Tone Semitone Tone Tone Semitone Tone Tone
Here is the full fingering for the A natural minor scale in the open position, moving up to the high A at the 5th fret on the first string. Learn it from memory and then play it with your eyes closed, naming the notes out loud, and then naming the scale degrees out loud.
This melody in the key of A minor is derived from the A natural minor scale. Learn it and then try making up your own melodies based on the ideas presented here. The natural minor scale is frequently used in lead guitar playing and is demonstrated in more detail with moveable fingerings on page 82.