STRINGSCALES

C harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, Ab, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: B, C, D, E, F, G, Ab at frets 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

D string: D, E, F, G, Ab, B, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, Ab, B, C, D, E, F, G at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D, E, F, G, Ab, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

High E string: E, F, G, Ab, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12

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C harmonic major

The harmonic major scale is a major scale with a flat 6th: bright below, shadowed above, with harmonic minor's augmented 2nd gap relocated between the 6th and 7th. It lets a major key borrow the minor iv chord without leaving the scale, a favorite bittersweet cadence from Schubert to the Beatles. Its modes include the lydian diminished scale.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C

I

Cmaj
D

ii°

Ddim
E

iii

Em
F

iv

Fm
G

V

Gmaj
A♭

bVI+

A♭aug
B

vii°

Bdim

Same notes, different mode

C harmonic major 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.

F lydian diminished

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

tip
  • Play C major, then flatten only the 6th (Ab): that single change is harmonic major, brightness with one shadowed degree.
  • Its classic use is the minor iv chord in a major key: over IV minor in C, this scale is the exact fit.
  • Lean on the bVI (Ab) to V half step at cadences, the borrowed-from-minor sigh inside a major key.
  • The augmented 2nd between bVI (Ab) and VII gives melodies an exotic lift right before the leading tone resolves to C.

How to play C harmonic major on guitar

Open low E, D, G and B all belong to this key, so a drone is available before your fretting hand does anything. Lowest root waits at fret 8. GM is a real dominant here, which means the usual V to I pull still works, while Abaug adds augmented color on the bVI+. Same fingering, moved up 5 semitones, gives you F lydian diminished.

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