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You are here: Home » How to Play the Harmonic Minor Scale On Guitar

How to Play the Harmonic Minor Scale On Guitar

Last updated: January 30, 2023 by Nate Leave a Comment

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.

harmonic minor scale on guitar

Contents hide
1 The 3 Types of Minor Scale
1.1 Natural Minor Scale
1.2 The Harmonic Minor Scale
2 The Harmonic Minor Scale in Guitar Tab
2.1 The A Minor Harmonic Scale in the open Position
2.2 A Harmonic Minor Starting on the 5th Fret 6th String
3 What?s Next

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.

  • Natural Minor scale

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.

  • How to Read Guitar Tablature

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.

  • How to play the major scale on guitar
  • How to play the natural minor scale on guitar

Thanks for reading. When you’re ready you can check out how to play?the third minor scale – the melodic minor scale.

  • How to play the Melodic Minor scale on guitar

Filed Under: Guitar lessons, Scales

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