Harmonic Minor Scale - Guitar Session 2

The harmonic minor scale is basically the natural minor scale with a raised 7th note. Meaning the 7th note in this scale is sharpened. The diagram below displays the notes for the Harmonic (A) minor scale, which is the scale we will be working with in this session.

Below is what I call a scales chart key. On the scale charts themselves, you wiil see these suggested fingering symbols for the notes played in the scale.

O = Open string played
= Index Finger
=Middle Finger
=Ring Finger
=Little Finger
Strings that are played open will be marked with "O" on top of the scale diagram.

Guitar scale chart 1 displays the Harmonic A minor scale in the 1st position on the guitar. As most scales in the 1st position, open string notes are used. Here will begin the scale with the open "A" string which is the rootnote for the Harmonic A minor scale, and ascend the scale 2 octaves higher to the rootnote "A" on the 1st string 5th fret.

After playing this scale, you may have noticed it doesn't sound as colorful or melodic as the major scale or natural minor scale. Infact it sounds more exotic like far eastern music or of an Indian based sound.

But the truth of the matter is, the harmonic minor scale is used in modern western music more often then you'd think. When thinking in terms of creativity, this scale can give a little tension or flavor to a piece of music. A little change to the piece being played, before it goes back to the repetitive verse & chorus parts of the piece.

Alot of solo guitarist's will play in several different scales within the key of the musical piece being played. Playing in a minor pentatonic scale and then moving to a harmonic minor scale, can set a givin piece of music a new direction,a different mood or feeling to the musical piece being played.

The harmonic minor scale is not a scale that you can jump right in and solo with like the pentatonic scale. It's a scale that you'll have to experiment with and find where it will sound right in the musical piece you are playing or creating.

Guitar scale chart 2 shows the Harmonic A minor scale starting out in the 1st position on the guitar, and running 2 octaves higher in tone to the 5th position on the guitar.

Guitar scale chart 3 displays the Harmonic A minor scale in the 5th position on the guitar. The pattern shows the scale being played across the guitar fretboard.

Guitar scale chart 4 starts the Harmonic A minor scale in the 5th position on the guitar, and runs the scale pattern 2 octave tones higher to the octave rootnote "A" on the 10th fret 2nd string.