stringery

B♭ harmonic minor

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

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position3 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. B♭RW
  2. C2H
  3. D♭♭3W
  4. E♭4W
  5. F5H
  6. G♭♭61½
  7. A7H

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 neckB♭ harmonic minor

12345EADGBE357912155♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R245♭67R2♭3457R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭35♭67R2♭345♭6
12345EADGBE357912155♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R245♭67R2♭3457R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭35♭67R2♭345♭6

Position 3 is outlined, frets 5 to 9. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The B♭ 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. B♭mi
  2. Cdimii°
  3. D♭augIII+
  4. E♭miv
  5. FV
  6. G♭VI
  7. Adimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B♭ minor

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