Today we know Aeolian Mode as the Natural Minor Scale. This is by far my favorite of all the modes and lots of my music is in Aeolian Mode.
Let’s take a look at A Aeolian on the treble staff.
Let’s see this on the piano keyboard below in yellow.
As you can see, A Aeolian is the same as the A natural minor scale.
The steps of Aeolian Mode are Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole.
So you could start the mode on the note C and you would get the C Minor scale.
If you’re playing some of my music then chances are you’re playing in Aeolian Mode, and if you’re practicing minor scales you’re practicing Aeolian Mode.
Aeolian Mode is an incredibly popular mode and there are plenty of examples in music using Aeolian Mode. Here are a handful as an example…
Hello by Adele
Losing My Religion by REM
Halloween Theme by John Carpenter
I Burn For You by Sting
In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins
Until next time practice building and playing your Aeolian Mode!
Hi Philip!
So when I compose a song on C and use the Aeolian mode, should I call the key c minor or C aeolian ? Piano teacher here. Honestly, when I was taking lessons as a child, I never was taught the Aeolian mode!! Trying to learn enough to teach it. Have a good book on the modes?
Carol DuBe NCTM
Hi Carol. To answer your question. Yes and
I don’t typically refer to my music in modes but rather major or minor.
There’s a couple interesting resources on modes. One is this book https://www.amazon.com/Visualize-Keyboard-Scales-Modes-Instantly/dp/1540087883
The other is a Mode calculator
https://music-theory-practice.com/modes/mode-calculator.html