Chord Scale analysis of The Aeolian Mode
The Aeolian, or Natural Minor, is one of the most used scales in the history of western music. While learning music theory, people a generally taught that there are two types of scales, major and minor. Modes tends not to be touched upon all that much, which I think is sad, but whatever, I'm not a teacher (yet...). Anyways, the Aeolian Mode is pretty cut and dry, if your reading this, you probably already know how to use it, probably as the natural minor scale. It takes a minor seven chord, and is of the tonic verity, has 2 avoid notes, and sounds awfully nice, but rather pedestrian if not used inventively.
Analysis of A Aeolian
A (root)
B (Two, Major Second, Nine, Major Ninth)
C (Minor third, flat three)
D (perfect fourth, Scale four)
E (Five, Perfect Fifth)
F (Minor Sixth, Scale Flat Six)
G (Flat Seven, Minor Seventh)
Tonic Vs. Subdominant, a Fight to the Finish
I know, everyone out there is saying, "Yes, I know we should avoid the flat six so our nice Minor chord doesn't become a Major Seven sharp eleven, and to avoid the mind blending sound of the Malicious Flat Nine, but why, sweet Alvis why should we avoid the nice sound of a Minor Eleven?" Well, because I said so, you Kreb, and because of the Dorian Mode, which is a beautiful subdominant mode without any avoid notes. By voicing the Eleven in the chord, you completely change the feel of your chord from a tonic quality, to a subdominant quality.