STRINGSCALES

A harmonic minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

D string: D, E, F, G#, A, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

G string: G#, A, B, C, D, E, F at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

B string: B, C, D, E, F, G#, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

High E string: E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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A harmonic minor

The harmonic minor scale raises the 7th of natural minor, creating an augmented 2nd gap between the flat 6th and the leading tone. That gap is its signature: dramatic, vaguely Eastern, and instantly recognizable in classical themes, neoclassical shred and surf rock. Harmonically it exists so a minor key can have a real dominant chord, so try it over the V chord resolving to a minor i.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

i

Am
B

ii°

Bdim
C

bIII+

Caug
D

iv

Dm
E

V

Emaj
F

bVI

Fmaj
G♯

vii°

G♯dim

Characteristic note: G# (natural 7), the raised seventh that pulls strongly back to the root.

Same notes, different mode

A harmonic minor uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B locrian 6C major augmentedD dorian #4E phrygian dominantF lydian #9G# ultralocrian

harmonic minor in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The augmented 2nd between the flat 6th (F) and the leading tone (G#) is the signature: place it deliberately instead of avoiding it.
  • Use A harmonic minor over the V7 chord in a minor key, resolving to the i; that is the scale's original job.
  • For neoclassical lines, run the scale in triplets ending on the 5th (E) or root, Malmsteen style.
  • Alternate natural and harmonic minor over a static A minor vamp: raise the 7th only when heading home to the root.

How to play A harmonic minor on guitar

Five open strings stay in key for A harmonic minor; only the G string, displaced by G#, drops out. Open A gives the root and both E strings the fifth, so a drone bed under the augmented-second color is one strum away. E major works as a true dominant chord, which means genuine V-to-i cadences under your lines. Boxes anchor at fret 5, shifting at fret 9.

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