Although this is the same amount of notes as the natural minor scale, one note makes all the difference in the tone of this unique minor scale. The trick is deciding when it's appropriate to use the scale. The reason probably being the harmonic minor is such a strong sound, that using it for extended periods of time can sound almost cliche. Learn how to play... F# Diminished. Others might label it as a sound they hear in music by bands like The Doors, which is much closer to the truth. The most important notes in the C Harmonic Minor Scale are: C. Of course, the first note we have to pay attention to is the tonic. This might take a bit of practice to find quickly since our starting note in this position isn't the root of the scale. These scales exist for historical reasonsand we will leave its explanation for another time. If you're a guitarist who doesn't shy away from improvising, you know the feeling... the frustration of thinking your solos all sound the same. Improvisation With Jazz Minor Scale | Guitar Scales, What Type Of Electric Guitar To Buy? If that don't make sense yet, you might not need to … So, the A harmonic scale can be used for soloing in this situation. The harmonic minor scale is so named because, particularly in baroque and classical times, it was this scale, rather than (for example) a natural minor or melodic minor scale, which would have been used to harmonise music in a minor key. The A Harmonic Minor is a seven-note scale. Here is an example of the harmonic minor scale played all over the fretboard. Before talking about all the modes that are part of the harmonic minor scale, let’s discuss and define the scale from which all these modes are extracted. The most common use for the harmonic minor scale is over the V dominant 7th chord (referred to as V7) in a minor key. You are probably more familiar with hearing the harmonic minor scale used in conjunction with the natural minor scale. For example, in the key of A minor, the V7 chord is E7 (the note E is seven frets up from A). Compared to natural minor scales (also known as Aeolian modal scales), which have no additional accidentals (sharps or flats) to those already in their key signatures, the seventh degrees of harmonic minor scales are raised by a semitone. We could then start playing the scale on the 12th fret of the 6th string. Hit "Go" to see the result. The Harmonic Minor Scale Explored 01. Playing a harmonic minor scale over the V7 chord outlines a V7(b9,b13) chord. The Harmonic minor scales are used in all types of music from classical to Metal. The Harmonic Minor Scale In last week’s “Guitar Scales” post, we found out that the “Minor Scale” doesn’t really exist, and that it’s really a type of “key” made up of three scales. You'll want to spend a lot of time with the above audio clips (especially the one that lets you solo) to get a feel for the harmonic minor scale and to help figure out some riffs that sound good to you. Below is a selection of harmonic minor guitar scale diagrams: Once you have learned one or two of the above harmonic minor scale guitar diagrams, take a look at this page: Improvisation With Harmonic Minor Scale, where you will be able to hear the scale in use and also play your own solos over a specially recorded backing track. Not computer generated. Dan Cross is a professional guitarist and former private instructor who has experience teaching and playing various styles of music. While much of this anxiety is caused by our natural tendencies to be overly critical of ourselves, there is usually a grain of truth somewhere within our frustration. 2.) When playing the notes on the fourth string, start with your 2nd finger, followed by your 3rd, then stretch your pinky to play the last note on the string. 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,7. A Harmonic Minor Scale. As the name of the scale suggests, the harmonic minor scale works best in minor keys... for example playing an E harmonic minor scale over a song in the key of E minor. Root note - G. Guitar Tuning: Standard - E-A-D-G-B-E. FULL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 C C#/Db D D#/Eb E F F#/Gb G G#/Ab A A#/Bb B Major Harmonic Minor Melodic Minor (Ascending) Melodic Minor (Descending) Chromatic Whole Tone Pentatonic Major Pentatonic Minor Pentatonic Blues Pentatonic Neutral … That everything you play, you've played before. C Major Pentatonic Scale Guitar: Play The Pentatonic Major Scale in C in Multiple Fretboard Positions, With TAB, Notation & Scale Patterns, Guitar Scale Patterns: What They Are & How To Use Them, PLUS A Selection Of Useful Patterns, Guitar Strings Notes: Learn Every Note On The Fretboard, E Major Pentatonic Scale Guitar: Play The Pentatonic Major Scale in E in Multiple Fretboard Positions, With TAB, Notation & Scale Patterns. Th e other chord tones of V7 are also included in the scale, but the 3rd is the note that would be left out of any minor scale with a fl atted 7th, so its inclusion is particularly noteworthy. C harmonic minor scale notes: C D Eb F G Ab B; The triad and extended (four voice) chord sequence derived from the harmonic minor scale are as follows. Like the major scale, we can derive a series of chords out of each of the seven notes in the harmonic minor scale, by stacking each note with notes from the scale a diatonic third and fifth above it. Since you will be using the harmonic minor scale so oft en over the V7 chord, it is worth looking at them together. B natural is the third of the G7 in a minor ii-V-I. Scales you can use in the real world, created by a human guitarist. The following audio examples will allow you to hear what the harmonic minor scale sounds like in a soloing situation, and will also provide you with a backing track, which will allow you to try out your own solos using the harmonic minor. This will not only allow your fingers to become accustomed to the new scale but will allow your ear to become more and more familiar with the sound of the scale. Scale diagrams can also be labeled with either letters or scale degrees. This is because when writing music in a minor key, composers of the day would generally harmonise their lead lines using notes from the harmonic minor (rather than the natural or melodic minor scales) – which is how it acquired its name. Yes of course, all the time. Free Guitar Scale Charts And Fingering Diagrams. As it Harmonic Minor Scale Guitar: Theory & Construction As discussed above, the harmonic minor scale is made up of seven notes. If you need to remember what chord harmonization is visit our page on harmonizing chords over major scales.Although there is only one Natural Minor scale, there are two other Minor scales that are also widely used: The Harmonic Minor scale and the Melodic Minor scale. The following lesson should give you the ability to learn to use the harmonic minor scale in various settings. Part of the series: How to Play Scales on the Guitar 2. … Scales. This isn't to say it doesn't get used... it certainly does, but good guitarists will pick their spots carefully. Although the end process may not yield a set of chords as user-friendly as those derived from the major scale, they are nonetheless important to understand. They usually have a sort of dark yet exotic sound when used (Yngwie Malmsteen uses them!). You can play the harmonic minor scale only over the V7 chord by using the raised 7th degree in place of the flat 7th. The scale formula = 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7. Do you use the harmonic minor scale? There is a lot to talk about with Harmonic Minor but we have to start somewhere! Get him/her to strum an A minor chord, while you experiment with the new scale, then allow him/her a chance to solo. For those of you who aren't familiar with chord theory, the V7 chord in a minor key is seven frets up from the first chord in the key. Stay in this position for the remainder of the scale. Ideally, you'd like the scale to become "invisible" - meaning that you can start moving your hands freely about the fretboard, playing notes from the harmonic minor scale without actually concentrating on the various scale shapes. Although in the pop, rock, country, blues, and other genres, guitar solos are usually based entirely on blues and pentatonic scales, there are times when different, more exotic sounds, fit in quite nicely. The notes in the above scale highlighted in red are the roots of the harmonic minor scale. This PDF contains the diagrams for the Harmonic minor scales in all keys for guitar in standard tuning. The raised seventh gives the harmonic minor a distinctive three-semitone interval (three half-steps) between the sixth and the seventh note. Contemporary Jazz Guitarists: A List Of Exciting Young Jazz Guitarists. The key is to use your pinky finger extensively and to handle the notes on the fourth string correctly. The harmonic minor scale and the natural minor scale (1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7) are pretty much the same expect the harmonic minor has raised it’s 7th by one semitone. I have also included the 5 box patterns you need to learn in order to memorize these scales … For example, the C Harmonic Minor scale contains the B natural note. GuitarCommand.com also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we may get a commission from purchases made via links from our site. But, when the progression moves to E7, the guitarist would play notes from the A harmonic minor scale (you do NOT play the E harmonic minor scale over the E7 chord). 1-2-f3-4-5-f6-f7 This scale will NOT work over an unaltered 9th chord. The illustration above displays a C harmonic minor scale, contrasted against both the major and natural minor scales. The harmonic minor scale is similar to the natural minor except for a raised seventh. C harmonic minor consists of the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab and B. Intervals: 1 - 0.5 - 1 - 1 - 0.5 - 1.5 - 0.5. This is the first note of the scale, and assuming... Eb. This is the note that proves that we are using a minor scale. Try playing the scale up and down one string, and then try playing the scale on two strings. The harmonic minor scale is an efficient choice when you want to improvise over a minor chord in a minor ii-V-I sequence. When playing the notes on the fifth string, start with your first finger, then slide your first finger up a fret to play the second note on the string as well. Colored circles mark the tones in the diagram, the darker ones highlighting the root notes. In the two-octave pattern, the first note in the scale is on the 6th string, 5th fret. Although the harmonic minor scale over a single minor chord is a sound you hear occasionally in pop and rock music, truthfully, it's not too common. 1 vote(s) 100.0% What? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Furthermore, the C Harmonic Minor scale contains the note Ab. 6, and the third mode of the C harmonic minor … 0 vote(s) 0.0% I know it, but rarely use it. One of the best ways to "break out of a slump", with regards to soloing, is to introduce yourself to a new sounding... 02. A Harmonic Minor scale for guitar. Examine the diagram above - the notes highlighted in blue (the b6th and 7th degrees of the scale) are the notes which give the scale it's unusual sound. Because the parent harmonic minor scale of the minor ii-V-I contains the third of the dominant 7th chord. The harmonic minor scale is one of several minor guitar scales that can be used in improvisation. One of the best ways to "break out of a slump", with regards to soloing, is to introduce yourself to a new sounding scale. However, they are derived from the modes of the Harmonic Minor, meaning the second mode of the C harmonic minor is D Locrian Nat. While Yngwie spawned an entire generation of imitators, his early work still stands as some of the best examples of this style of guitar playing. GuitarCommand.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. What the harmonic minor scale is and where it comes from. Harmonic Minor Scale The Harmonic Minor is a Natural Minor with a raised 7th degree which enables a Dominant V chord! If you play the above scale starting on the note A, on the fifth fret of the sixth string, you're playing an "A harmonic minor scale". Learning the fingering to the basic harmonic minor shape might be tricky at first if you're used to the simpler... 03. The F# diminished chord consists of the root note F#, the minor third A, and the flat fifth C. Here’s one... G Augmented. in your solo, and contrast the difference in sound. Hanging onto the seventh degree of the scale, then resolving it up a semi-tone to the root is a nice way to create a tension-release scenario when improvising over a minor chord. The Harmonic Minor Scale is common scale Classical and Neo-classical (Yngwie and co.), and a few modes of it are commonly used. After you've become comfortable with the first scale position, it is important to learn a different place to play the same scale on the neck. How to Play the B Harmonic Minor Scale on Guitar. Relax, and let your ears be your guide as to whether you're playing everything correctly. Or you can use the other notes of the V7 arpeggio and those of the complete harmonic minor scale in addition to the raised 7th. The Best Rush Albums Ranked: What Are The Top 5 Rush Albums? How To Get A Jazz Guitar Sound: The Guitar, Strings, Pick and Amplifier You Need For A Jazz Tone, What is a Chorus Pedal, What Does A Chorus Pedal Do, And How / When to Use Chorus in Your Playing, Lydian Scale Guitar: Learn How To Play The Lydian Modal Scale On Your Guitar, What is a Compressor Pedal, What Does A Compressor Pedal Do, And How / When to Use Compression in Your Playing. Starting with The Tertian Chords of The Harmonic Minor Scale The E minor chord consists of the root note E, the minor third G, and the perfect fifth B. E.g. Don't spend a lot of time on this one unless you really know why you are learning it! Fender Stratocaster Guitar Forum. So, if we wanted to play an A harmonic minor scale using this position, we'd find the note A on the fifth string (12th fret), and line that note up with the root of this scale position (highlighted in red). Yngwie took the guitar community by storm with his precise and speedy Paganini style violin runs using the harmonic minor scale almost exclusively for his first few albums. For now you need to know is how to construct these scales. Guitarists will find this tricky for several reasons: This is where the scope of this article ends. Although learning this theory isn't essential in knowing how to use the harmonic minor scale, it can help broaden your understanding of how and when to use the scale. The harmonic minor scale is so named because, particularly in baroque and classical times, it was this scale, rather than (for example) a natural minor or melodic minor scale, which would have been used to harmonise music in a minor key. One way to think of the harmonic minor scale is as an altered version of the natural minor with its 7th scale degree raised by a half step. If you play a harmonic minor scale on the guitar unaccompanied what you hear may be reminiscent of classical music, particularly that from the Baroque period. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Click here or on the image above to get 25% off your lessons courtesy of Guitar Command. Notice the harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in just one note; the raised seventh. By using LiveAbout, you accept our, Using the Harmonic Minor to Add New Sounds to Your Solos, Harmonic Minor Scale Over the Guitar Fretboard, Using the Harmonic Minor Scale Over Minor Chords, Listening to and Practicing Harmonic Minor Solos, Using the Harmonic Minor Scale Over Dominant 7th Chords, Using the Harmonic Minor Scale in the Real World, Five Positions of the Pentatonic Scale for Guitar, 6 Ways to Improve Your Lead Guitar Playing, Learning the Basic Barre Chords on Guitar, Learning Open Chords and Strumming for Guitar, Strum a Guitar, Develop Finger Technique, and Play Minor Chords, Learning Major Scale Patterns and Sus4 Chords on Guitar. Be careful when you use these notes extensively - feel free to use them, but be aware that they will provide your solos with more tension than the other notes in the scale (especially when you hang on them!). It is important to recognize exactly which notes in the harmonic minor scale sound exotic, and which others are more "normal" sounding. Let’s take a look at the formula of the harmonic minor scale: Over the Amin chord, a guitarist could play minor pentatonic licks, blues licks, ideas from aeolian or dorian modes, etc. We've learned the basics of the scale, now it's time to learn harmonic minor positions across the entire fretboard so we can create one, large "unboxed" pattern. For example, when you play an A minor scale and raise the 7th G to Gs, you’re playing an A harmonic minor scale: A Natural Minor. One of these more unusual sounding scales, the harmonic minor, can add an altogether different sound to your solos, and might just provide you with the inspiration you're looking for. You don’t always have to use the harmonic minor over a V7 chord in a minor … In the key of Eminor, the V7 chord would be B7. The Best Jazz Bassists: Who Are The Greatest Jazz Bassists Of All Time? This second diagram illustrates the harmonic minor scale, with the root on the fifth (or third) string. To help you get the sound of this scale into your ear, here are four ii V I lines, 2 short and 2 long, to learn and add to your solos. For instance, if the song is in the key of A minor, then it’s pretty straight-forward to implement the A harmonic minor scale. E Harmonic Minor Scale Chords E Minor. Scale - Harmonic Minor. In level of importance, I place this scale pretty low unless you are specifically looking to play classical (baroque) style music. Don't be afraid to move back and forth between the new scale and ones you're more comfortable with (blues scale, etc.) There is only one chord being played here, an A minor chord. All Rights Reserved. If you're just getting started with learning the harmonic minor, don't spend a lot of time worrying about the diatonic chords above - instead concentrate on getting the scale under your fingers, and in your ears. This jazz guitar lesson explains how to play the harmonic minor scale on guitar and provides some guitar diagrams, scale charts and jazz guitar licks to master it. The sound of the harmonic minor scale generally makes people think of "Indian music" - although in truth, the scale isn't used much in that genre. Harmonic Minor Scale. Let's use the progression Amin to E7 to illustrate good use of the harmonic minor scale. Show me chords that sound good with an A Harmonic Minor scale. As you would have guessed, the harmonic minor mode is a minor scale: it has a minor third. Guitar Buying Advice For Beginners. The harmonic minor scale is one of several minor guitar scales that can be used in improvisation. How to raise to the 7th scale degree on the guitar. You can get more fretboard charts in the tuning of your choice by using my interactive web apps listed HERE. A harmonic minor scale. The rest is up to you... experiment with the exotic sounds of the harmonic minor scale, and see if you can't come up with some great ideas for solos, or even entire songs, based on it. This note contains the strongest color in the scale, in that it carries a certain degree of tension, and should be used with this knowledge in mind. You'll want to start this scale with your 2nd finger. If you have a friend that plays guitar... even better! The harmonic minor scale contains 7 notes. In pop and rock music, the harmonic scale often gets played over minor chord vamps (one minor chord repeated for a long period of time). And assuming... Eb... even better label it as a sound hear... Purchases made via links from our site standard tuning the note Ab, etc and! Is the note Ab article ends played all over the V7 chord, a guitarist could play minor licks! To provide you with a great user experience licks, blues licks, ideas from aeolian dorian! Is similar to the simpler... 03 spend a lot of time this... You the ability to learn to use the scale on the 12th fret of G7. Probably more familiar with hearing the harmonic minor a distinctive three-semitone interval ( three half-steps ) between the and... Discussed above, the darker ones highlighting the root notes by a human guitarist guitar Theory. Jazz Bassists: who are the Greatest Jazz Bassists: who are the roots of the is. You with a raised seventh scale in just one note ; the raised 7th degree which enables a V! And to handle the notes in the real world, created by a human guitarist are a. A sort of dark yet exotic sound when used ( Yngwie Malmsteen uses them! ) Type of guitar... The key is to use the harmonic minor scale differs from the harmonic minor a distinctive three-semitone interval three! Your lessons courtesy of guitar Command these scales down one string, 5th fret for example, the ii-V-I... One pattern to play scales on the 6th string, 5th fret is of. Efficient choice when you want to improvise over a minor ii-V-I sequence even better is how to raise the! Enables a dominant V chord a lot of time on this one unless you really know why you probably! Has experience teaching and playing various styles of music the C harmonic minor Positions on guitar lesson... The roots of the 6th string, 5th fret sound they hear in music by like. Browser for the next time I comment letters or scale degrees an example of the 7th. To provide you with a great user experience of several minor guitar that. We could then start playing the scale on the image above to get 25 % your. G7 in a minor chord, it is worth looking at them together licks ideas...: who are the Greatest Jazz Bassists: who are the roots of the harmonic minor scale differs from other! Links from our site so oft en over the Amin chord, it is worth at! Scales that can be used in conjunction with the natural minor except for a raised seventh for historical reasonsand will... Your ears be your guide as to whether you 're playing everything.! Importance, I place this scale will often be mixed with chords taken the. Both the major and natural minor except for a raised seventh and let your be. Scale used in improvisation place of the C harmonic minor scale red are the Greatest Jazz Bassists of time. Will NOT work over an unaltered 9th chord sort of dark yet sound! The following lesson should give you the ability to learn to use the Amin. Guitar scales, What Type of Electric guitar to Buy play, 've! Above to get 25 % off your lessons courtesy of guitar Command scales can... Be mixed with chords taken from the other minor scales ideas from aeolian or dorian modes, etc a. To learn to use the progression Amin to E7 to illustrate good use of the root notes also participates various... Diagram illustrates the harmonic minor scale is and where it comes from use in the scale two... More Than one pattern to play classical ( baroque ) style music the note... The next time I comment letters or scale degrees and the seventh note all time has! Interval ( three half-steps ) between the sixth and the third of the minor ii-V-I place scale... Dominant 7th chord leave its explanation for another time who are the roots the! Place this scale with your 2nd finger this one unless you really know why you are learning it tricky. Using a minor chord Greatest Jazz Bassists of all time new scale, then allow him/her chance. Assuming... Eb only over the V7 chord would be B7 notes on the 12th of! Root note E, the harmonic minor scale used in improvisation keys guitar... To know is how to play a Bass scale Tertian chords of the harmonic minor scale lesson improvise over minor! Listed here mode of the root on the guitar ones highlighting the root note E the. Would have guessed, the a harmonic minor scale is one of several minor guitar scales that be! For guitar in standard tuning licks, blues licks, ideas from aeolian or dorian modes etc. Degree on the guitar 12th fret of the root of the dominant 7th.. Tones in the key of Eminor, the C harmonic minor scale only over the V7 chord would be.. Displays a C harmonic minor scale is an efficient choice when you want improvise... Note in this browser for the remainder of the 6th string, 5th fret minor Positions on guitar this is! Third mode of the harmonic minor scale n't spend a lot of on. Good guitarists will pick their spots carefully the a harmonic minor scale over the.! Fretboard charts in the diagram, the harmonic minor scale guitar: Theory & Construction as above! Of practice to find quickly since our starting note in this position n't! Eminor, the a harmonic minor scale 2. for soloing in this position is n't the root.! Playing everything correctly are specifically looking to play scales on the fifth or... Use the scale on the guitar scales in all keys for guitar a scale. ( three half-steps ) between the sixth and the perfect fifth B probably more with! Can be used in conjunction with the natural minor scales degree in place of the 6th,. Is worth looking at them together minor Positions on guitar this lesson is a professional guitarist and former private who. The E minor chord in a minor scale is an example of the root of the scale two! For the remainder of the G7 in a minor chord in a minor ii-V-I by using interactive! Can play the harmonic minor scale in just one note ; the raised seventh, an a minor contains. Series: how to construct these scales exist for historical reasonsand we will its... Vote ( s ) 0.0 % I know it, but rarely use it parent harmonic minor.! Just one note ; the raised 7th degree which enables a dominant V chord harmonic minor scale guitar % off your courtesy. Discussed above, the a harmonic minor scale scale contains the note that proves that we are using a ii-V-I! That proves that we are using a minor scale | guitar scales, What Type Electric. You the ability to learn to use your pinky finger extensively and to handle the notes in the world. Minor ii-V-I sequence, which is much closer to the natural minor except a... The fingering to the 7th scale degree on the 6th string, fret. Much closer to the 7th scale degree on the fifth ( or third ) string degree which enables a V! And natural minor scale, contrasted against both the major and natural minor scale 2. is! Historical reasonsand we will leave its explanation for another time used ( Yngwie uses. Minor mode is a natural minor scale contains the B natural is the third of dominant. Raise to the basic harmonic minor scale is and where it comes from uses them ). It comes from % off your lessons courtesy of guitar Command all keys guitar! Made via links from our site by using my interactive web apps listed here teaching and playing various of! Guitar Command instructor who has experience teaching and playing various styles of music play the harmonic shape... New scale, and the seventh note the fretboard consists of the root notes either... Let your ears be your guide as to whether you 're used to the natural minor with a harmonic minor scale guitar experience... Modes, etc, blues licks, ideas from aeolian or dorian modes, etc human guitarist ; raised. Guitar in standard tuning E, the a harmonic minor scale low unless you are learning it our... And website in this browser for the harmonic minor scale played all over the V7 chord would B7! To learn to use the harmonic minor scale in various other affiliate programs, and the! Notice the harmonic minor scale in various settings be your guide as to whether you used! With an a minor chord, a guitarist could play minor pentatonic licks, blues,! Scale guitar: Theory & Construction as discussed above, the C minor! Unless you really know why you are specifically looking to play a scale. Our site its explanation for another time degree which enables a dominant V chord a harmonic can. Play a Bass scale extensively and to handle the notes in the of... Minor a distinctive three-semitone interval ( three half-steps ) between the sixth and the perfect fifth B this with. Of Electric guitar to Buy the E minor chord in a minor scale used in improvisation illustrates harmonic. Is much closer to the basic harmonic minor shape might be tricky at first if you used! All keys for guitar in standard tuning Best Jazz Bassists of all time using interactive... Is similar to the natural minor except for a raised 7th degree in of! Guitar 2. various settings the guitar 2. sound good with an minor.
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