STRINGSCALES

G♯ harmonic minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

G string: F##, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F## at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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

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

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

G# 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:

G♯

i

G♯m
A♯

ii°

A♯dim
B

bIII+

Baug
C♯

iv

C♯m
D♯

V

D♯maj
E

bVI

Emaj
F𝄪

vii°

F𝄪dim

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

Same notes, different mode

G# 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.

A# locrian 6B major augmentedC# dorian #4D# phrygian dominantE lydian #9G ultralocrian

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

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

How to play G♯ harmonic minor on guitar

Open G works in this key because the leading tone F## lives there, so an open-string hammer-on reaches the G# root at fret 1 for free. Open B and both E strings also stay in key, on the minor third and minor sixth. A capo on fret 1 turns everything into G harmonic minor fingerings, which means the five-sharp spelling never has to reach your hands. E-shape roots sit at fret 4.

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