stringery

G 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. GRW
  2. A2H
  3. B♭♭3W
  4. C4W
  5. D5H
  6. E♭♭61½
  7. F♯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 neckG harmonic minor

12345EADGBE357912157R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭3457R2♭345♭67R
12345EADGBE357912157R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭3457R2♭345♭67R

Position 2 is outlined, frets 2 to 6. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The G 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. Gmi
  2. Adimii°
  3. B♭augIII+
  4. Cmiv
  5. DV
  6. E♭VI
  7. F♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • G minor

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