Aeolian

The Aeolian mode is a musical mode that is derived from the natural minor scale. It has a sad or introspective character and is often used in a variety of musical styles, including classical, rock, and folk.

The Aeolian mode is constructed using the following pattern of whole and half steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. This pattern is similar to that of the natural minor scale, with no alterations to the pattern of whole and half steps.

The Aeolian mode is characterized by its minor tonality, which is created by the combination of the minor third and the perfect fifth intervals. These intervals give the Aeolian mode its sad or introspective character and make it a popular choice for introspective and contemplative music.

To use the Aeolian mode in your music, you can start by choosing a natural minor scale and then using the pattern of whole and half steps to create the Aeolian mode. You can then use this mode as the foundation for your melodies and harmonies, using the minor tonality to create a sad or introspective sound.

The Aeolian mode is the second most popular of all the modes, because it has the same notes as the natural minor scale.

Example Diagram

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
  W   H   W   W   H   W   W

The "Whole" (W) and "Half" (H) labels represent the intervals between the notes of the scale. A whole step is equal to two half steps, and a half step is equal to one piano key (black or white). They are also known as tones and semitones.

To build the Aeolian mode (also known as the natural minor scale) starting from the key of C, you would use the following notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭. The Aeolian mode is a minor scale, and it is characterized by a lowered 3rd, 6th and 7th degree of the scale compared to the Ionian mode (also known as the major scale). In the key of C, the Ionian mode consists of the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. To create the Aeolian mode from the Ionian mode, you would simply lower the 3rd, 6th and 7th degrees of the scale by a half step, resulting in the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, and B♭.

1 - 2 - 3  - 4 - 5 - 6  - 7  - 8
C - D - E♭ - F - G - A♭ - B♭ - C
  W   H   W   W   H   W   W

Examples

Here are a few examples of music that uses the Aeolian mode:

• "Moon River" by Henry Mancini: This jazz ballad is written in the Aeolian mode and has a introspective and melancholic character.
• "Hotel California" by The Eagles: This rock ballad is written in the Aeolian mode and has a moody and introspective character.
• "The Unforgiven" by Metallica: This heavy metal ballad is written in the Aeolian mode and has a introspective and melancholic character.
• "Für Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven: This classical piece is written in the Aeolian mode and has a introspective and melancholic character.
• "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas: This rock ballad is written in the Aeolian mode and has a introspective and melancholic character.

These are just a few examples of the many musical styles and genres that make use of the Aeolian mode. By listening to these and other examples of music that use the Aeolian mode, you can get a sense of the character and mood of this mode and how it is used in a variety of musical contexts.