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A aeolian dominant scale on guitar
A aeolian dominant uses A, B, C♯, D, E, F, G. The Box 1 shape puts the root on the sixth string, fifth fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A aeolian dominant scale on guitar?
A aeolian dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A aeolian dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A aeolian dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A aeolian dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A aeolian dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the third of A natural minor from C to C♯ to build this scale. The pattern is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7 with a major tonic triad. Compare it with A natural minor to hear the raised third. The ♭6 and ♭7 keep the aeolian darkness over a major root.
When to use it
Use it over A major or A 5th chords in rock and metal riffs. The ♭6 and ♭7 add a dark, exotic color to dominant progressions. Try it over A major or A 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on the sixth string, fifth fret anchors the shape and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A aeolian dominant?
The notes are A, B, C♯, D, E, F, G. The scale has a major third and a minor sixth. It is the fifth mode of D melodic minor.
Which chords fit A aeolian dominant?
The tonic chord is A major. The scale also works over A 5th power chords. Avoid chords with a natural sixth or minor third.
How does A aeolian dominant differ from A natural minor?
A aeolian dominant raises the third from C to C♯. This creates a major tonic triad instead of a minor one. The rest of the notes stay the same.