stringery

A harmonic minor

Minor with a raised 7th: classical, gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal. Diminished & augmented family

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position2 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the major 7th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ARW
  2. B2H
  3. C♭3W
  4. D4W
  5. E5H
  6. F♭61½
  7. G♯7H

Raising the 7th leaves a wide gap after the flat 6th. That leap is the instantly recognisable 'exotic' sound.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA harmonic minor

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12345EADGBE357912155♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭6

Position 2 is outlined, frets 4 to 8. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A harmonic minor key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. Ami
  2. Bdimii°
  3. CaugIII+
  4. Dmiv
  5. EV
  6. FVI
  7. G♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A minor

    Natural minor: the same scale with a flat 7th.