The A Minor Scale - Position Five

The A Minor Scale consists of the following notes:  A B C D E F G A

The A Minor Scale is played at Position Five meaning that we place our first finger (index) on the fifth fret, our second finger (middle) on the sixth fret, our third finger (ring) on the seventh fret, and our fourth finger (pinky) on the eighth fret.

Practise using all four fingers on all four fret positions on all six strings before continuing.  Once you are comfortable with each position, move onto the next step.

String        Finger           Fret
E               1   3  4           5   7  8
A               1   3  4          5    7  8
D               1   3     *4     5    7     9
G               1   3              5   7
B               1 2    4           5 6     8
E               1   3  4           5   7  8

*indicates a reach is needed, your fourth finger (pinky) must reach to the ninth fret

Practise playing the scale forwards and backwards.
Remember to stay on the TIPS of your fingers
Try your best to play TO A BEAT, tapping your foot is a great way to keep a beat.
The next step is to say each note name as you climb up or down the scale. 

THEORY TIDBIT

The Scale gets its name A Minor based on the fact that the starting point of the scale is A and also that it follows a specific pattern (Minor) which is also known as the sixth mode (Aeolian).

Think of the notes used during Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do As being C D E F G A B C.

The A Minor Scale goes from La to La (La Ti Do Re Mi Fa So La) or in this case, A to A (A B C D E F G A).