The Harmonic Minor scale

The Harmonic Minor scale is a very interesting sounding scale that will add color and depth to

your sound. It is a very exotic sounding scale with a very distinctive color: almost Spanish or
Middle Eastern sounding. This scale is used often in rock and metal.

The scale is a Natural Minor scale with a raised seventh. This form of minor scale is called

Harmonic Minor because when harmonies are constructed in minor-key music, it often tends to

utilize the raised 7th, especially in dominant harmony. In the table below you can see how the
Harmonic Minor scale intervals relate to some other scales and modes.

Major scale, (Ionian mode) 1 (root) 2 3 4 5 6 7

Natural Minor scale, (Aeolian mode)

Harmonic Minor 3-octave scale link

1 (root)

1 (root)

2

2

b3

b3

4

4

5

5

b6

b6

b7

7

Dorian mode 1 (root) 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

Pentatonic Minor scale 1 (root) - b3 4 5 - b7

Blues scale 1 (root) - b3 4 b5 5 b7

The scale sounds great when played over a major V chord in a minor key progression or over

minor plus seven chords (minor/maj7). It’s also used over dominant chords like the V7 or even

over straight minor chords if you don’t mind sounding exotic, as the 7
th
is such a strong note.

KEY POINT: As soon as you see a major V chord in a minor key jam, BAM!

• hit that V chord with Harmonic Minor

Below are two Harmonic Minor scale patterns with first finger roots on the 6th and 5
th
strings.

Over time, learn the scale down the entire neck and practice in all keys. Remember that the

key note in the scale, the major 7
th
, is always located a half step behind the root note.

1

2

1

4

3

1

4

3

3

2 2 2

Harmonic Minor Scale

6 th string root

3

4

4

1 1

2

1

4

3

1

4

4

3

2 2

Harmonic Minor Scale

5 th string root

3

4

1

root note

Fingering to

(^) be utilized 7

th degree of scale