stringery

D harmonic minor

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

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position4 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. DRW
  2. E2H
  3. F♭3W
  4. G4W
  5. A5H
  6. B♭♭61½
  7. C♯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 neckD harmonic minor

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12345EADGBE357912152♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭34

Position 4 is outlined, frets 9 to 13. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The D 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. Dmi
  2. Edimii°
  3. FaugIII+
  4. Gmiv
  5. AV
  6. B♭VI
  7. C♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • D minor

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