Explore scales · Ukulele
G natural minor scale on ukulele
G natural minor uses G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, and F. Box 1 places a root on string 2 fret 3 for a low-position start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G natural minor scale on ukulele?
G natural minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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 G string at fret 0 and the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
G natural minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G natural minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G natural minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 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 C string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
G natural minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 12 and the A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
G natural minor is the Aeolian mode of B♭ major, sharing its key signature. It lowers the third, sixth, and seventh degrees of G major. Compared with G minor pentatonic, it adds A and E♭ for full diatonic movement.
When to use it
Use G natural minor over G minor and G 5th progressions in folk, rock, and classical settings. The E♭ and F create a strong pull back to G. G natural minor suits the key of G 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 second string and covers frets 0–3 for easy open-position phrasing.
Common questions
Which notes are in G natural minor?
G natural minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, and F. The intervals are 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the Aeolian mode of B♭ major.
Which chords fit G natural minor?
G natural minor fits G minor and G 5th chords. The tonic chord is G minor. The scale also works over progressions built from the key of G minor.
How does G natural minor differ from G minor pentatonic?
G natural minor adds A and E♭ to the five notes of G minor pentatonic. The pentatonic scale omits the second and sixth degrees. The natural minor provides a fuller diatonic sound.