The harmonic minor scale is a minor scale with a raised 7th, creating a strong pull back toward the root.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the harmonic minor formula, fretboard shapes, and ways to apply the scale over minor-key chord progressions.

What is the harmonic minor scale?

The harmonic minor scale has the formula 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7.

For example, C harmonic minor contains C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, and B.

An easy way to build harmonic minor is to start with a natural minor scale and raise the b7 by one half step.

See the harmonic minor scale formula using whole and half steps below.

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

Play C natural minor, then C harmonic minor. Listen to Bb moving up to B and how the B pulls toward C. Then compare C melodic minor with C harmonic minor and listen to A moving down to Ab.

Comparing minor scales

• Natural minor: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7. Raise the b7 to get harmonic minor.
• Melodic minor: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Lower the 6th to get harmonic minor.

Harmonic minor scale examples

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

Use this chart as a reference when you want to build harmonic minor from another root. The scale formula stays the same in every key.

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.

The five shapes below show how harmonic minor covers the fretboard. Start with one position that feels comfortable, then use the neighboring shapes to expand from there.

Shape 1

Choose one root and play Shape 1 slowly. Find the root, b3, b6, and 7 inside the shape, then play it again while listening for the pull from the 7th back to the root.

Shape 2

Shape 3

Shape 4

Shape 5

A useful way to learn these shapes is to compare them with the natural minor scale shapes you already know. The notes stay the same except for the 7th, which moves up one fret.

Start with one familiar natural minor shape and raise every b7 by a half step to create harmonic minor. Once that shape feels comfortable, connect it to one neighboring position and create a short line that moves between the two shapes.

Note: If a shape includes open strings, adjust the fingering as needed. For example, a 1, 3, 4 fingering on fretted notes may become open, 1, 3. Once you move to a fully fretted position, you can return to the original fingering shown in the shape.

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!

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Harmonic minor scale application examples

One of the clearest places to hear harmonic minor is over a 5-to-1 progression in a minor key.

In C minor, the 5 chord can be G7 resolving to C minor. The B in C harmonic minor helps create the G7 sound and pulls strongly toward the root note C.

The Ab in C harmonic minor also creates a b9 sound against G7, giving the dominant chord additional tension before it resolves to C minor.

Here are some application examples over G 7(b9) resolving to a C minor 7 chord, including guitar tabs and audio.

The first examples show how notes from harmonic minor can create tension over the 5 chord and resolve into the 1 chord.

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.

Play one of the three lines over G 7 to C minor. Then change the rhythm or starting note while keeping the resolution into C minor clear.

The following examples expand the same 5-to-1 sound into longer melodic phrases. Use them as ideas for creating your own lines rather than phrases you have to memorize exactly.

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

Harmonic minor can also be used over the minor tonic when its notes fit the harmony. The raised 7th gives the scale a different color from natural minor, so listen closely to how it sounds against the chord.

How to Practice the Harmonic Minor Scale

1. Start with one shape

Learn one position well enough to play it without relying on the chart before adding another shape.

2. Compare it with natural minor

Start with a natural minor shape you already know and raise the 7th by one fret. This makes the relationship between the two scales easier to see and hear.

3. Connect one neighboring shape

Once one position feels comfortable, learn the shape directly above or below it and practice moving between the two.

Play over a simple 5-to-1 progression in a minor key. Create two short phrases from one harmonic minor shape. In each phrase, listen for the raised 7th pulling toward the root as the progression resolves to the 1 chord.

Wrapping up

Harmonic minor has the formula 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7. Compared with natural minor, the only change is the raised 7th.

Start with one natural minor shape you already know, raise the 7th, and listen to how that note creates a stronger pull back toward the root.

From there, the additional shapes and application examples in this lesson give you more ways to use harmonic minor across the fretboard and through minor-key progressions.

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