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The Aeolian Mode

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In this course we’ll be taking a detailed look at the Aeolian mode, also known as the Natural Minor scale. This is in important mode to know as it has a wide variety of uses and serves as a reference point for many of the other minor modes.

We'll be focusing on learning the A Aeolian mode in this course, which belongs to the home key of C major. We'll begin by learning to play it all over the fingerboard using the 'content over patterns' method, after which we will work through a series of bass grooves that put the mode to use. In some of the later videos in the course we will also play some grooves that use the Aeolian mode from other keys. By the end of this course you should be very familiar with the sound of the Aeolian mode and feel confident using it in your own lines.

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get hold of the PDF transcription and the audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only).

This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE AEOLIAN MODE

In this video we’ll be talking about the Aeolian mode and discussing how and where it is commonly used.

2 - PLAYING THE AEOLIAN MODE

In this video I’ll be showing you how to play the A Aeolian mode all over the fingerboard using the ‘content over patterns’ theory. In learning to play the mode this way, you’ll be concentrating on the notes rather than memorising any restrictive fretboard patterns.

3 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #1

This exercise is an up-tempo rock riff that sounds great with a pick. This is a simple line that ascends through the A Aeolian mode in the first two bars. In bars 3 and 4 a turnaround figure is played.

4 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #2

This exercise is a slap and pop groove that makes use of the A Aeolian mode. Note that the sliding figures in the second bar really reinforce the tonality of the mode.

5 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #3

This exercise is a slow tempo reggae groove that uses the A Aeolian mode. When playing this line, it’s important to play all hammer-ons and slides as written. Applying the palm muting technique for a full, rounded tone will work perfectly here.

6 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #4

This exercise is a sixteenth note rock bass part that is similar in style to Chris Wolstenholme’s bassline on the Muse classic ‘Hysteria’. The hammer-ons are really important in this line as they give your picking hand a brief rest.

7 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #5

This exercise looks complex, but it’s played at a very slow tempo. This is a chordal line and as you play, you can afford to allow all notes to ring into one another.

8 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #6

This exercise is a rock bassline that uses the D Aeolian mode: D - E - F - G - A - Bb - C - D. Remember, the Aeolian mode is exactly the same as the natural minor scale!

9 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #7

This exercise is a melodic line, this time using the B Aeolian mode: B - C# - D - E - F# - G - A - B.

10 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #8

This bassline uses the E Aeolian mode: E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E.

11 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #9

This exercise uses the C Aeolian mode: C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C.

12 - AEOLIAN EXERCISE #10

This exercise is a Latin bassline that once again uses the E Aeolian mode: E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E. There are some very challenging position shifts in this line, so be sure to work on it slowly to begin with.