Tuning-specific scale diagram

E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning

E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale in E Flat Standard Tuning shows the same e natural minor (aeolian) scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 10
Parent scale: G major
Tuning: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: Eb2 to Eb4
24-fret range: Eb2 to Eb6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale: string 3 F# (2). None of those open-string tones is the E root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3F#2

First root on each string

String 6Fret 1

String 5Fret 8

String 4Fret 3

String 3Fret 10

String 2Fret 6

String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest Eb string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the E root at fret 1. On the highest Eb string, the first E is at fret 1.

Fret 1E1

Fret 3F#2

Fret 4Gb3

Fret 6A4

Fret 8B5

Fret 9Cb6

Fret 11Db7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play E Natural Minor (Aeolian) Scale on the low Eb string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets F# on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest E root and two other scale tones.
Connect the E root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 3, 10, 6, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.