stringery

F harmonic minor

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

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position1 of 5

35791215

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

Built from

  1. FRW
  2. G2H
  3. A♭♭3W
  4. B♭4W
  5. C5H
  6. D♭♭61½
  7. E7H

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 neckF harmonic minor

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12345EADGBE357912157R2♭345♭67R245♭67R2♭3457R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 4. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F 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. Fmi
  2. Gdimii°
  3. A♭augIII+
  4. B♭miv
  5. CV
  6. D♭VI
  7. Edimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • F minor

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