Major (Ionian) vs Natural Minor (Aeolian) on Piano
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)).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
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)