E Aeolian ♭5

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E Aeolian ♭5 Scale

– – – – – – –

Step pattern W – H – W – H – W – W – W

E Aeolian ♭5 contains 7 notes: E, F♯, G, A, B♭, C, D. It has 1 sharp: F♯. The step pattern is W–H–W–H–W–W–W. It is derived from E Melodic Minor.

Locrian natural 2 is a crucial scale for minor harmony. It takes the unstable Locrian mode and makes it much more musical by keeping the natural 2nd, which gives your melodic lines room to breathe.

Theory

Built as 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - b5 - b6 - b7, this is the 6th mode of melodic minor. The whole step between root and 2nd (instead of Locrian's half step) is the single change that makes it far more consonant and melodic. It perfectly outlines a m7b5 (half-diminished) chord. The b5 defines the diminished quality while the natural 2nd prevents excessive dissonance.

On the guitar

This is an incredibly common alternative to standard Locrian for the ii chord in minor ii-V-i progressions. Practice it as your default half-diminished scale. The natural 2nd gives you a strong melodic note to build lines from, unlike Locrian's cramped b2 opening.

Piano