G natural minor scale
The G natural minor scale is made of the notes G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Minor · 7 notes
- 1G
- 2A
- ♭3B♭
- 4C
- 5D
- ♭6E♭
- ♭7F
PatternW – H – W – W – H – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
Three variants with a minor third: natural, harmonic (raised seventh) and melodic (raised sixth and seventh). Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The natural minor has a minor 3rd, 6th and 7th: it sounds darker and sadder than the major. It shares its notes with the major scale a minor third above (its relative): A minor and C major, for example.
The G natural minor scale is mode 6 of the B♭ major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 6. B♭ major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the G natural minor scale?
- The notes are G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F.
- What is the pattern of the G natural minor scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the G natural minor scale a mode of?
- It is mode 6 of the B♭ major scale.
- Which chords is the G natural minor scale used over?
- It is used over Gm7, Gm9: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.