A harmonic minor scale
Notes in the scaleTap one to hear it and find it on the neck
- 1
- 2
- ♭3
- 4
- 5
- ♭6
- 7
Every A harmonic minor note on the neck.
The A harmonic minor scale
Harmonic minor is natural minor with a raised 7th. The gap of three frets between the 6th and 7th gives it a classical and Middle Eastern sound, and the raised 7th makes the V chord major.
- Notes
- A B C D E F G♯
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7
- Steps
- W H W W H W+H H
- W is two frets, H is one fret
A harmonic minor scale positions
Seven patterns with three notes on every string. Each one starts on a different note of the scale on the lowest string. Together they cover the whole neck.
Three notes per string
Seven patterns. Pattern 1 starts on the root on the lowest string.
Position 1
Frets 5 to 10. Starts on A, the root, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 2
Frets 7 to 12. Starts on B, the 2, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 3
Frets 8 to 13. Starts on C, the ♭3, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 4
Frets 10 to 16. Starts on D, the 4, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 5
Open strings to fret 5. Starts on E, the 5, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 6
Frets 1 to 7. Starts on F, the ♭6, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.Position 7
Frets 3 to 9. Starts on G♯, the 7, on the lowest string. Three notes on every string.
Chords in A harmonic minor
Built from the notes of the scale, so the A harmonic minor scale works over all of them.