STRINGSCALES

D harmonic minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

B string: C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

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

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

D 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:

D

i

Dm
E

ii°

Edim
F

bIII+

Faug
G

iv

Gm
A

V

Amaj
B♭

bVI

B♭maj
C♯

vii°

C♯dim

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

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

E locrian 6F major augmentedG dorian #4A phrygian dominantBb lydian #9C# ultralocrian

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

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

How to play D harmonic minor on guitar

Open D is the root, and open A, G, and both E strings stay in key too, so only the B string needs avoiding during open-position drones. A major functions as the dominant chord, which lets V-to-i resolution happen right around the open strings. Watch the augmented second between Bb and C#. Box work anchors at fret 10 on the low E and moves up at fret 14.

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