Lick Construction Class : Aeolian

Welcome to the Aeolian scale lick building workshop! In today's lesson we'll work over an A minor backing track and try to get familiar with the Aeolian mode, also known as the natural minor scale. Let's first take a look at the formula of the scale we'll use today:

Root-Maj2nd-min3rd-4th-5th-min6th-min7th

That scale is very close to the minor pentatonic scale which is basically the same scale without the 2nd nor the 6th. That means that the minor pentatonic and the Aeolian mode are going to compliment themselves very well.

As always, pay attention to the fingering and watch your rhythm placement. Once you are comfortable with the suggested licks, play over the looped backing track and create your own musical lines using some of these ideas.

Have fun!