The A minor scale consists of the same notes as the C major scale but it starts on A. This shift in the starting point gives the A minor scale a different emotional quality—more introspective or melancholic compared to its major counterpart.

The A minor scale is a diatonic scale. It consists of seven distinct notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, followed by the octave A to complete the cycle. What makes the A minor scale particularly foundational is its lack of sharp or flat notes (ie only white keys of a keyboard), making it an ideal starting point for beginners to learn music theory and notation.

These triads represent the “harmonious possibilities” inherent in the A minor scale.

Losing my religion by REM is in the key of A minor