If you’re stuck playing the same old pentatonic licks and wondering why your solos feel stale—it’s probably because you haven’t truly mastered minor guitar scales.
This isn’t about memorizing patterns. It’s about owning the neck.
In this guide, you’ll unlock the secrets of the Natural Minor, Minor Pentatonic, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, and even Dorian and Phrygian modes. You’ll see tabs. You’ll hear legendary solos. And you’ll finally connect emotion to technique.
But first—let me show you how to shortcut your path to fretboard fluency.
👉 Back FretDeck™ on Kickstarter and get 36 visual cards that unlock 60+ minor scale shapes instantly. 👉 Join Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord and get Fret Logic FREE
❌ Stop Guessing. Start Shredding.
If you’re still fumbling through scale patterns and box shapes… it’s costing you progress.
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🎸 Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian Mode)
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Mood: Melancholy, moody, cinematic
Tab in A Minor:
e|-------------------------------5-7-8-|
B|------------------------5-6-8--------|
G|------------------4-5-7--------------|
D|------------5-7----------------------|
A|------5-7-8--------------------------|
E|-5-7-8-------------------------------|Where pros use it: Classical, film scores, doom metal. Think “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd.
⚡ Minor Pentatonic Scale
Formula: 1 b3 4 5 b7
Mood: Raw, gritty, essential
Tab in A Minor:
e|-------------------------5-8-|
B|---------------------5-8-----|
G|-----------------5-7---------|
D|-------------5-7-------------|
A|-------5-7-------------------|
E|-5-8-------------------------|Why it works: It’s the backbone of blues, rock, and soul. Used by Page, Clapton, SRV, and Hendrix. Simple structure = endless phrasing power.
🧠 Harmonic Minor Scale
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Mood: Exotic, intense, neoclassical
Tab in A Harmonic Minor:
e|-------------------------------4-5-|
B|------------------------5-6-9------|
G|------------------5-6-8------------|
D|------------6-7--------------------|
A|------5-7-8------------------------|
E|-5-7-8-----------------------------|Where you’ve heard it: Yngwie. Metallica. Movie soundtracks. The raised 7th adds tension and drama.
🎷 Melodic Minor Scale (Jazz Favorite)
Formula (ascending): 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Mood: Sophisticated, smooth, smart
Tab in A Melodic Minor:
e|------------------------------4-5-|
B|------------------------5-6-8-----|
G|------------------4-5-7-----------|
D|------------4-7-------------------|
A|------5-7-9-----------------------|
E|-5-7-8----------------------------|Use it for: Jazz fusion, modern prog, or anytime you want to impress your theory friends.
🔥 Dorian Mode
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Mood: Minor with a twist—brighter, funkier
Tab in A Dorian:
e|----------------------------5-7-8-|
B|----------------------5-7--------|
G|----------------4-5-7------------|
D|----------4-7--------------------|
A|----5-7--------------------------|
E|-5-7-8---------------------------|Perfect for: Santana, jam bands, funk grooves. It’s the scale behind “Black Magic Woman.”
🌍 Phrygian Mode
Formula: 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Mood: Dark, mysterious, Spanish flair
Tab in A Phrygian:
e|-----------------------------5-7-8-|
B|----------------------5-6-8--------|
G|-----------------5-7---------------|
D|-----------5-7---------------------|
A|-----5-7-8-------------------------|
E|-5-7-8-----------------------------|Play it when: You want to tap into flamenco, progressive metal, or Latin fire.
🎸 4 Iconic Guitar Solos Using Minor Scales
1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
Scale: A Minor Pentatonic
Page makes the scale sing—proof that simplicity can be powerful.
2. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Scale: B Natural Minor
David Gilmour’s tone + phrasing = scale perfection.
3. “Eruption” – Van Halen
Scale: E Harmonic Minor
Flashy, ferocious, and full of tension. Harmonic minor fuels Eddie’s fire.
4. “Black Magic Woman” – Santana
Scale: Dorian Mode
Smooth and sultry. The raised 6th adds color without losing the soul.
💥 Want to Master Minor Guitar Scales Faster?
You can grind through books and YouTube videos for years… or you can grab FretDeck™ and learn 60+ minor guitar scale shapes with one visual system.
🎯 36 Cards. 12 Keys. All the patterns. 🎸 Perfect for blues, rock, jazz, and shred. 🔥 Kickstarter backers get lifetime access to bonuses + exclusive Discord access.
👉 Back the FretDeck™ Kickstarter Now
👉 Join Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord and get Fret Logic FREE
Join Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord! 🎸
Get Fret Logic FREE!
Join the Guitar Freaks Hangout Discord and get exclusive access to my entire e-book, Fret Logic! Master the fretboard and elevate your solos with this comprehensive guide.
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Final Thoughts: Minor Scales, Major Freedom
Minor guitar scales unlock emotion. They give you the ability to tell stories—not just shred. When you understand how they work, how to apply them, and how to link them across the fretboard, you’re no longer “practicing”—you’re creating.
🎸 Ready to take over the neck? Let’s go. 👉 Back FretDeck™ on Kickstarter today. 👉 Join the Guitar Freaks Hangout Discord and elevate your playing.
See you on the inside.
