stringery

A harmonic minor

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

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position4 of 5

571012

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

12345GCEA5710127R2♭345♭6♭345♭67R2♭35♭67R2♭345R2♭345♭67R
12345GCEA5710127R2♭345♭6♭345♭67R2♭35♭67R2♭345R2♭345♭67R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. 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.