ScalesB Natural Minor
Guitar scale · fretboard map
B Natural Minor Scale
The B Natural Minor scale is built from the notes B, C#, D, E, F#, G, and A, also known as the Aeolian mode. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root B highlighted.
The natural minor scale is the serious, darker counterpart to major, and the home base of most rock, metal, and film music.
Notes in the B Natural Minor scale
B1
C#2
Db3
E4
F#5
Gb6
Ab7
B Natural Minor scale on the fretboard
root (B) other scale notes
Chords in the key of B minor →
See the seven chords that come from this scale, plus common progressions in the key.
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in B
B MajorB Major PentatonicB Minor PentatonicB BluesB DorianB PhrygianB LydianB MixolydianB Harmonic Minor
The natural minor scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the B Natural Minor scale?
- The B Natural Minor scale contains 7 notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, and A. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
- How do you play the B Natural Minor scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (B) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the B notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the B Natural Minor scale used for?
- The natural minor scale is the serious, darker counterpart to major, and the home base of most rock, metal, and film music. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in B and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.