stringery

E harmonic minor

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

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position2 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. ERW
  2. F♯2H
  3. G♭3W
  4. A4W
  5. B5H
  6. C♭61½
  7. D♯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 neckE harmonic minor

12345GCEA571012♭345♭67R2♭3♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R45♭67R2♭34
12345GCEA571012♭345♭67R2♭3♭67R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭67R45♭67R2♭34

Position 2 is outlined, frets 4 to 7. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E 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. Emi
  2. F♯dimii°
  3. GaugIII+
  4. Amiv
  5. BV
  6. CVI
  7. D♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • E minor

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