B Natural Minor Scale
Sad, melancholic scale
What is the B Natural Minor Scale?
The natural minor scale (also called Aeolian) is the major scale started from its 6th degree. It's seven notes spaced in the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W, which gives it a darker, more melancholy character than the major scale. Every minor-key song that doesn't borrow notes from harmonic or melodic minor is using natural minor.
Notes in the scale: B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A
Intervals: Root, 2, b3, 4, 5, #5, b7 (measured from the root)
Parent key: B minor — shares the same seven notes
Progressions where the B Natural Minor Scale fits
i-VI-III-VII — in B minor
Bm → G → D → A
i-iv-v — in B minor
Bm → Em → F#m
When to use the B Natural Minor Scale
B Natural Minor Scale shares all seven notes with D major — the same key centred on B. Use natural minor for any minor-key song that wants its sad/dark color without the leading-tone tension of harmonic minor or the bright 6th of Dorian. It's the default for indie, alt-rock, folk-minor and any pop song in a minor key. The natural minor of any root shares its seven notes with the major scale a minor 3rd up (A minor = C major) — you can think of it as the same key with a different home note.
B Minor Chord
Root chord for this scale
Blues Improvisation
Master blues soloing
Practice with Improvisio
See how the B Natural Minor Scale works over chord progressions.
Try it in the trainer