In the last lesson we looked at the natural minor scale and today, as promised, we will look at how to play the harmonic minor scale on guitar.
The 3 Types of Minor Scale
As we learned in the natural minor scale lesson, there are 3 types of minor scales:
- Natural Minor Scale
- Harmonic Minor Scale
- Melodic Minor Scale
Natural Minor Scale
If you haven’t seen the natural minor lesson you can check it out at the link below.
But here?s a quick recap.
You start with the root note of the scale you want to play – let’s use A as en example – and then you play:
- Whole step (W)
- Half Step (H)
- Whole Step (W)
- Whole Step (W)
- Half Step (H)
- Whole Step (W)
- Whole Step (W)
In the case of A minor this is A, B, C, D, E, F, & G.
The Harmonic Minor Scale
The harmonic minor scale is only slightly different. It goes like this:
- Whole step (W)
- Half Step (H)
- Whole Step (W)
- Whole Step (W)
- Half Step (H)
- Whole and a Half Step (WH) (1 ? steps)
- Half Step (W)
In the case of A minor this is A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A
Or said another way:
- Start on A
- Then whole step to B
- Half step to C
- Whole Step to D
- Whole Step to E
- Half Step to F
- One and a half steps up to G#
- Half step back to A
So that’s
- root – 1 step – ? step – 1 step – 1 step – ? step – 1 and ? step – ? step
O.k. let’s look at that in guitar tab.
The Harmonic Minor Scale in Guitar Tab
We?ll use the A minor scale again for the sake of consistency and so you can see how it differs from the natural minor.
If you?re not sure how to read guitar tab check out the link below.
The A Minor Harmonic Scale in the open Position
O.k. let’s start in the open position and then look at another position up the neck.
e:------------------------| B:------------------------| G:-------------------1--2-| D:----------0--2--3-------| A:-0--2--3----------------| E:------------------------|
Cool.
Now let’s make that more interesting and incorporate more notes and make an exercise out of it.
e:----------------------------------0--1--4--4--1--0-------------------| B:-------------------------0--1--3--------------------3--1--0----------| G:-------------------1--2-------------------------------------2--1-----| D:----------0--2--3-------------------------------------------------3--| A:-0--2--3-------------------------------------------------------------| E:---------------------------------------------------------------------| e:---------------------------------| B:---------------------------------| G:---------------------------------| D:2--0-----------------------------| A:------3--2--0-----------------0--| E:---------------4--1--0--1--4-----|
A Harmonic Minor Starting on the 5th Fret 6th String
Finally let’s take a look at the scale starting in a different position on the fretboard.
I really enjoy playing the harmonic minor scales up the fretboard like this. Not sure why but maybe just because it’s a bit more interesting and I like the sound of the harmonic minor – it has a bit more attitude than the natural minor to me.
e:----------------------------------------4--5--7--8--8--7--5--4-------| B:----------------------------------5--6---------------------------6--5| G:-------------------------4--5--7-------------------------------------| D:-------------------6--7----------------------------------------------| A:----------5--7--8----------------------------------------------------| E:-5--7--8-------------------------------------------------------------| e:---------------------------------| B:---------------------------------| G:-7--5--4-------------------------| D:----------7--6-------------------| A:----------------8--7--5----------| E:-------------------------8--7--5-|
What’s Next
As always – practice!
But if you haven’t learnt your natural minor scales or your major scale then I encourage you to go back and learn those first.
Thanks for reading. When you’re ready you can check out how to play?the third minor scale – the melodic minor scale.
