How to play the harmonic minor scale on guitar

The harmonic minor scale is a unique and dynamic scale used for improvisation. In this lesson, you’ll learn the difference between the harmonic minor scale from other minor scales, the scale shapes to play them on guitar, and musical application examples with tabs and audio.

Grab your guitar and let’s get started!

What is the harmonic minor scale?

The harmonic minor scale has the scale degrees 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, and 7. For example, the C harmonic minor scale would have the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, and B.

See the chart of the harmonic scale formula using whole and half steps.

Here is the notation with tabs and audio for the C harmonic minor scale played in two octaves.

Comparing minor scales

 Let’s compare the scale degrees for other closely related minor scales.

• The natural minor scale, (also known as the Aeolian mode) has the scale degrees 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, and b7. For example, the C natural minor scale has the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, and Bb. If you know this scale, you only have to raise the 7th degree to play a harmonic minor scale.
• The melodic minor scale has the notes 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. For example, the C melodic minor scale has the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, A, and Bb. This scale has a natural 6th degree compared to the b6 in the harmonic minor scale.
  

Harmonic minor scale examples

Here are examples of harmonic minor scales starting on different root notes.

5 Harmonic minor scale shapes on guitar

We can break down the harmonic minor scale into five different sections of the guitar fretboard. You can play these shapes starting on any root note.

How to read the scale charts

For the charts below:

• The lowest horizontal line represents the thickest string (Low E). The top horizontal line represents the thinnest string (high E). 
• The green circles represent the root note of the harmonic minor scale and the blue notes are every scale note in between. 
• The numbers inside the circles represent the suggested fingering to use on your fretting hand.

If needed, check out how to read guitar notation symbols.

Shape 1

Shape 2

Shape 3

Shape 4

Shape 5

One thing to note about using these shapes is that whenever you have scales that use notes with open strings, you have to rearrange your fingers to play the shape. For example, if the shape uses the fingering 1, 3, and 4 on one string, you can play (open string), 1, and 3 instead. 

Although you will need to change some fingerings if you include open strings, once you move over to the next shape where you’re fretting all the notes, you will get back to the original shapes we covered.

Get the chart here!

Easily look up scales with the Essential Minor Scales Guitar Chart!

This chart shows you the 5 essential minor scale shapes on guitar and how to play the minor scale starting on all 12 root notes.

There’s no need to stumble on what notes to play… Get the Essential Minor Scales Guitar Chart printable to motivate and guide you on your musical journey!

👉 Get it here!

Harmonic minor scale application examples

This harmonic scale is commonly used in a chord progressions moving from the 5 to 1 chord. For example, in the key of C minor, you can play the C harmonic minor scale over the 5 chord, which would be G7. Using the harmonic scale over the 5 chords highlights a Dominant 7 b9 sound, in this case, the Ab note.

Here are some application examples over a G7 b9 chord to a C minor 7 chord including guitar tabs and audio.

Descending line 1

This descending line example starts on the 7th chord tone of the G7 b9 and resolves to the b3 chord tone of C minor 7.

Descending line 2

This descending line starts on the b9 chord tone of the G7 b9 and resolves to the 5th chord tone of C minor 7.

Descending line 3

This descending line starts on the 5th chord tone of the G7 b9 and resolves to the root note of C minor 7.

Harmonic minor scale lick 1

A “lick” refers to a musical phrase you can learn to apply to a similar musical context. The following harmonic minor scale licks outline the chord tones for the 5 to 1 progression in C minor. We’ll gradually add more notes upon each example.

Harmonic minor scale lick 2

Harmonic minor scale lick 3

3 tips for memorizing the melodic minor scale shapes

Here are 3 quick tips to help you memorize the melodic minor scale shapes.

1. Master one shape at a time

The way I recommend learning and memorizing any scale is to start with one shape that feels most comfortable for you. Try to really get the shape under your fingers to the point where you don’t have to look at the chart. Use the first shape you master as a guide to learn the other scale shapes around it.

2. Make one note adjustments if your know the minor scale

I usually recommend looking for patterns such as what strings repeat the a fingering but it is tricker with this scale. In this case, I would suggest that if you already know the minor scale, you only have to raise the 7th degree because all the other notes are the same.

Also, it may seem obvious but the notes on the first and sixth string will always be the same if you’re trying memorize the shape.

3. Learn to connect the scale shapes

After getting one of the shapes down really well, either learn the shape that comes before or after it to see how the scale connects on the fretboard. Again, try to master one shape at a time and make sure you can play it without looking at the chart.

This will make the process more approachable by breaking it down into smaller sections before moving on to the next shape.

Wrapping up

The harmonic minor scale is an essential scale that you can use for improvisation, especially over minor chord progressions.

We learned the formula to apply this scale to different root notes, learned the scales shapes and application examples in a musical context.

To master this scale, try applying the scale shapes in different keys. Memorizing the scale shapes will help you play the right notes more effectively and allow for more creative freedom. For best results, try to create your own phrases and musical ideas using the harmonic scale as soon as you are able to.

To explore more scale ideas and develop melodic playing, you may also want to check out how practice scales on guitar. You may also want to learn how make your melody lines sound jazzy.

Get the free guitar practice guide here.

Best,

JG Music Lessons

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