STRINGSCALES

C♯ harmonic minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G#, A, B#, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

A string: A, B#, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

D string: D#, E, F#, G#, A, B#, C# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

G string: G#, A, B#, C#, D#, E, F# at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

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

High E string: E, F#, G#, A, B#, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

C# 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:

C♯

i

C♯m
D♯

ii°

D♯dim
E

bIII+

Eaug
F♯

iv

F♯m
G♯

V

G♯maj
A

bVI

Amaj
B♯

vii°

B♯dim

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

Same notes, different mode

C# 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.

D# locrian 6E major augmentedF# dorian #4G# phrygian dominantA lydian #9B# ultralocrian

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

tip
  • The augmented 2nd between the flat 6th (A) and the leading tone (C) is the signature: place it deliberately instead of avoiding it.
  • Use C# 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 (G#) or root, Malmsteen style.
  • Alternate natural and harmonic minor over a static C# minor vamp: raise the 7th only when heading home to the root.

How to play C♯ harmonic minor on guitar

Both E strings and the open A remain in key here, the E as minor third and A as minor sixth. Capo at fret 1 rewrites C# harmonic minor as C fingerings, so the five-sharp spelling stops mattering under your hands. Lowest root: fret 9, low E string. G# major supplies the dominant, which means a strong V chord anchors cadences even this far up the sharp side.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.