STRINGSCALES

E♭ harmonic major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

A string: Bb, Cb, D, Eb, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb, F, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12

B string: Cb, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, Cb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

High E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

Eb 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:

E♭

I

E♭maj
F

ii°

Fdim
G

iii

Gm
A♭

iv

A♭m
B♭

V

B♭maj
C♭

bVI+

C♭aug
D

vii°

Ddim

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

Ab lydian diminished

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

tip
  • Play Eb major, then flatten only the 6th (B): 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 Eb, this scale is the exact fit.
  • Lean on the bVI (B) to V half step at cadences, the borrowed-from-minor sigh inside a major key.
  • The augmented 2nd between bVI (B) and VII gives melodies an exotic lift right before the leading tone resolves to Eb.

How to play E♭ harmonic major on guitar

Fret 11 on the low E is the lowest root, which puts the A-shape barre at 6 ahead of anything in open position. Capo fret 1 and D fingerings do the work, so 4 flats stop being a problem. Open D, G and B are in the scale, with Cb landing on the open B string as a minor sixth. BbM handles the V and Cbaug the bVI+.

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