Make A yours.
Listen, find the notes, then play them back. Your keyboard is the instrument.
Start with Listen, then play the highlighted notes.
⌨ Lower octave: A W S E D F T G Y H U J · Upper: K O L P ; ' ] Z X C V B N. Click inside this studio before using computer keys. On phones, slide the keyboard to reach higher notes. Black keys show both common note names.
Download your current note pattern and tempo, or print a practice sheet.
Four chords. Less jumping.
Try i → iv → V → i in A minor. Play the bass with your left hand and the three upper notes with your right. The upper voicings are chosen to keep movement small.
The V chord uses a major third, introducing the raised seventh of the minor key to lead back to i.
A minor
LH A
RH C · E · A
D minor
LH D
RH D · F · A
E major
LH E
RH B · E · G♯
A minor
LH A
RH C · E · A
Spread limits describe distances between notes, not a recommended fingering or a guarantee of comfort. Use one note at a time if needed.
What notes make up A natural minor?
A natural minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Its interval formula is 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. The numbers describe degrees relative to A; a flat lowers a degree by one semitone and a sharp raises it by one semitone.
| Degree | Note | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 0 |
| 2 | B | 2 |
| ♭3 | C | 3 |
| 4 | D | 5 |
| 5 | E | 7 |
| ♭6 | F | 8 |
| ♭7 | G | 10 |
Spelling follows the interval formula. Double accidentals can be correct; a different-looking key name may sound at the same pitch.
A useful way to practice it
Compare its notes with the relative major beginning on the third degree.
- Find A first. Say the remaining notes aloud: B, C, D, E, F, G.
- Play the pattern slowly from the root to the octave. Keep the pulse steady before increasing your speed.
- Return downward using the same reference collection. Pause at each semitone pair to hear the smaller interval.
- Download the MIDI to loop the example, or print the PDF and mark your own comfortable fingering.
The diagrams show notes and intervals rather than a prescribed fingering. Choose a fingering suited to your hand and discuss technical questions with your teacher.
A natural minor or A major?
Keep the root A fixed. The third, sixth and seventh degrees change between major and natural minor. Compare C ↔ C♯ · F ↔ F♯ · G ↔ G♯, then listen to each version.
Two registers, one pattern
Compare the same scale in two registers. The pitch names and interval relationships remain unchanged.
Middle register
Upper register
Using the files
The PDF includes every displayed position. SVG diagrams stay sharp when resized, and MIDI files contain the reference notes rather than a recording. Playback uses a simple synthesized tone; your MIDI app can use a different piano sound.
These diagrams are generated from the interval formula shown above. Read how our references are made →
Published · Original Artistry Piano reference · Report a correction