Chords in C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)

DarkMelancholicEmotional

The natural minor scale powers the darker side of popular music, from Adele’s "Rolling in the Deep" to countless rock and EDM anthems. Its diatonic chords create moody, introspective progressions built around the minor i chord. The relative major relationship means every minor key shares its chords with a major key three semitones above.

Transpose to any key, progressions & circle of fifths

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Formula

W-H-W-W-H-W-W

Semitones: 2-1-2-2-1-2-2

Key Signature

EbAbBb

3 flats

Explore

Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) in the glossary Key Explorer tool Browse all C chords Chord Flashcards Ear Training Metronome

Relative majorEb Major

Characteristic Sound

The natural minor scale darkens the major scale by lowering the 3rd, 6th, and 7th degrees. The minor 3rd is the single interval that shifts the emotional quality from bright to melancholic, while the minor 6th and 7th add deeper somber color.

Key intervals:♭3♭6♭7

Mode Family

Diatonic Mode Family

The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.

Notes:

CDEbFGAbBb

Scales with similar note sets — useful for exploring substitutions and modal interchange.

♯7 substitutionHarmonic Minor Scale ♮6 substitutionDorian Mode ♭2 substitutionPhrygian Mode 5-note subsetMinor Pentatonic Scale 5 notes sharedBlues Scale

Chromatic Mediant Relationships

Chords a third away from the root — not diatonic to this scale. Common in film scoring and jazz.

M3 ↑

EE Em

m3 ↓

AA Am

Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) scale FAQ

What chords are in C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)?

The diatonic chords in C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) are: Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.

What is the Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)?

The natural minor scale produces a darker, more melancholic sound than the major scale. It is the basis for most minor-key music in pop, rock, classical, and electronic genres. The sixth mode of the major scale.

What notes are in the C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)?

The C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) contains the notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb. This is a 7-note scale starting from C.

How many chords does the C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) have?

The C Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm, Ab, Bb.

What is the formula for the Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian)?

The Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) follows the interval formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-W (W = whole step, H = half step).