Explore scales · Ukulele
F natural minor scale on ukulele
F natural minor uses F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. Box 1 places roots on string 3 fret 5 and string 2 fret 1 for a low-position start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F natural minor scale on ukulele?
F natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
F natural minor is the Aeolian mode of A♭ major, sharing its key signature. It lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of F major. Compared with F minor pentatonic, it adds G and D♭ for full diatonic movement.
When to use it
Use F natural minor over F minor and F 5th progressions in blues, rock, and classical settings. The D♭ and E♭ create a dark pull back to F. F natural minor suits the key of F minor, where the seventh degree stays a whole step below the tonic.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the third string and covers frets 0–3 for easy open-position phrasing.
Common questions
Which notes are in F natural minor?
F natural minor contains F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E♭. The intervals are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the Aeolian mode of A♭ major.
Which chords fit F natural minor?
F natural minor fits F minor and F 5th chords. The tonic chord is F minor. The scale also works over progressions built from the key of F minor.
How does F natural minor differ from F minor pentatonic?
F natural minor adds G and D♭ to the five notes of F minor pentatonic. The pentatonic scale omits the second and sixth degrees. The natural minor provides a fuller diatonic sound.