Major (Ionian) vs Natural Minor (Aeolian)
The C major (ionian) and the C natural minor (aeolian) share 4 notes — C, D, F, G. From there, the C major (ionian) adds E, A, B, while the C natural minor (aeolian) adds Eb, Ab, Bb.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), D3 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), Eb3 (flat 3), E3 (3), F3 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), G3 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), Ab3 (flat 6), A3 (6), Bb3 (flat 7), B3 (7), C4 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), D4 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), Eb4 (flat 3), E4 (3), F4 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), G4 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)), Ab4 (flat 6), A4 (6), Bb4 (flat 7), B4 (7), C5 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Natural Minor (Aeolian)).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Major (Ionian) | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
| Natural Minor (Aeolian) | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · b6 · b7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Major (Ionian) | In Natural Minor (Aeolian) |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the major (ionian): E (3), A (6), B (7)
- Only in the natural minor (aeolian): Eb (b3), Ab (b6), Bb (b7)