Learn The Harmonic Minor Scale for The 12 Keys tone.

Learn how to play the Harmonic Minor scale in the 12 keys tone system

Hello and welcome to guitarelements

Thank you for visiting us.

We hope this lesson will help you to understand and play the harmonic minor scale in 12 keys.
Please remember do not rush but make sure you study your lesson in details step by step and make sure you understand before you jump to another lesson categories.

The Harmonic Minor scale has scale steps identical as the Minor Scale with one exception. You need to RAISE the 7th by an half step.
For details and to learn about how the Minor scale is constructed please join our site for free and have full access to all lessons.
-----
The Minor scale is constructed of 3 Whole Steps and 2 half steps

Let's exam the A Minor scale in details.
This is the formula for the minor scale : Half steps occurred between ( Step 2 & 3 ) and ( step 5 & 6 ) of the scale.
The formula for the A Minor Scale is: --- A B C D E F G A - As you can see there is no accidentals needed here.
There is special term for this scale. It is also know as The Natural Minor, Relative Minor.

Now let us observer the A Harmonic Minor Scale steps.
As we can see with the A Harmonic Minor scale, the formula said "Just as the scale steps of the Minor scale with one exception is you need to raise the 7th by an half step.

So here it is The A Harmonic Minor scale: A B C D E F G# A
There is one Sharp on the 7th step of the A Harmonic Minor scale. The G now become the G#
The image for this page displayed The A Harmonic Minor scale pattern #1 or position #1 with 3 octave range from the lowest reachable note to the highest reachable note.
The Main scale is in red color code and the Tonic or Root note are in Solid Red.

-----

So it is not that hard or complicate to learn at all, just need your focus and really want to study. No big deal is it?
.
Can you figure out how to play F Harmonic Minor scale?
Let me walk you through this again.

Let start by witting the scale step of the F Minor scale.
Here it is the F minor scale: ---- F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F
There it is. The F minor scale has 4 Flats and the order of the flats in sequence is: Bb Eb Ab and Db in this order respectably.
Once again for the order of Sharps or Flats, join us for free and get full access to all lessons and learn about Key signatures in details.

Now let us convert the F Minor scale to The F Harmonic Minor scale.
The Harmonic Minor formula said, using the minor scale step, raise the 7th an half step to convert the scale into Harmonic Minor.
Here it is The F Harmonic Minor scale: F G Ab Bb C Db E F ---- Can you see the 7th now become E instead of Eb as the case of the Minor scale?

-----

It is o.k. I just walk you through the rest of the basic key ( C D E G B )
I am not going to work on the accident keys ( the flat and sharp) - I like you to try them out on your own to see if you understand how to.

Don't worry, I will have them post later, maybe next week to give you some time to figure them out.
Hints The "C# or Db" - "D# or Eb" ..... "F# or Gb" ..... "G# or Ab" ...... "A# or Bb" .....These are called Accidental Keys.
-----

Let us work on the C harmonic Minor scale.
Here it is the C Minor scale. C D Eb F G Ab Bb C ---- Here it is the C Minor scale has 3 flats and the flat is in this order Bb Eb Ab respectively.

Now let us convert the C minor scale into the C Harmonic Minor scale.
Here it is The C Harmonic Minor scale: C D Eb F G Ab B C ----- Notice the Bb on the 7th step of the C minor scale become the B for the C Harmonic Minor scale? Because we have to raise the 7th by an half step.

-------
Let us work on The D Minor scale.
Here is the D minor scale steps. D E F G A Bb C D ------ As you can see the D Minor scale has 1 Flat and the flat is Bb.
Now let convert the D minor scale to the D Harmonic Minor scale.
Here is the D Harmonic Minor scale. D E F G A Bb C# D ---- Per the Harmonic minor scale formula, I have to raise the 7th by an half step. Did you see the C# in step 7th of the scale?

-----
Let us work on the E Minor scale.
Here is the E Minor scale: E F# G A B C D E ----- You can see that there is One sharp for the E Minor scale and the Sharp is F#.

Now let us convert the E Minor scale to The E Harmonic Minor scale. Remember all you have to do is to raise the 7th step by an half step from the E minor scale to have a E Harmonic minor scale.

Here it is the E Harmonic Minor scale. E F# G A B C D# E - Did you see what happening, the 7th step? I have to raise the 7th an half step from D to D#
-----

Let us work on the G Minor scale.
Here is the G Minor scale. G A Bb C D Eb F G --- There are 2 flats and the order of the flats is Bb Eb respectively.

Now let convert the G Minor scale to the G Harmonic Minor scale.
Here is your G Harmonic Minor scale G A Bb C D Eb F# G - The G harmonic minor has 2 flats in order as Bb & Eb --- It also has one sharp and the sharp is F#
--------

Let us work on the B Minor scale. B C# D E F# G A B - The B Minor scale has 2 sharps in this order respectively F# & C#

Now let us convert the B Minor scale to the B Harmonic Minor scale. B C# D E F# G A# B -- The G Harmonic Minor has 3 sharp F# C# and A#

---------
There they are, you just learn how to play the Harmonic Minor scale for the 7 basic notes or keys.
Please try to finish the other 5 keys ( Accidentals keys by yourself so you can see if you understand how the Harmonic Minor is constructed ).
As I said, next week I will post the answer for the Harmonic Minor Accidental keys so you can check against what you have com up with.

--------
I hope you like and enjoy this lessons. Please give us comment and feed back if you have a better way to explain and teach this lesson.

Thank you and keep on rocking.
.

This is the A harmonic Minior pattern #2 or position #2

This is the A Harmonic Minor scale pattern #2

To be continue

This is the A harmonic Minior pattern #3 or position #3

This is the A harmonic Minior pattern #4 or position #4

This is the A harmonic Minior pattern #5 or position #5

This is The Cage system of the A Harmonic Minor scale displayed with Notes (Notations)

The A Harminoc Minor scale displayed with Notes

The Cage system for the A Harmonic Minor scale, displayed with Notes (Notations). Each Cage system have 5 patterns or 5 positions regardless if it is scale or arpeggios or Modes.

You should spend time to study the 5 individual patterns in depth than go to the Cage system to see the entire pictures of how the 5 patterns are connect and how each patterns relate to it adjacent patterns. ( Hint. If you study pattern #3 --- see the relationship between pattern #2 & pattern #4 --- see what make them connect and how they connect between pattern #2 & pattern #3 --- then see what happening between pattern #3 and pattern #4.

There are common notes from one pattern which you can carry over to create the adjacent patterns.

When you master the 5 patterns and be able to play a few notes from one pattern then jump to other patterns and continue play a few notes then jump to other patterns. Keep doing this, and listen to your playing, does it sound like a lick or a solo? cool yeah?
.
Let us study in depth with the A Harmonic Cage system displayed with notes or notations.
Starts with the pattern # 1 or position #1
Again guitarelements feature 3 octaves range for Scales, Arpeggios, Modes in 5 patterns with Cage system.
_ The lower octave ( as we want to play the lowest reachable note. " in this case the open E on 6th string, open" ) in blue color coded.
_ The Main Scale in Red color with Root/Tonic notes in Solid Red.
_ The higher octave ( as we want to play the most reachable note. " in this case the G# on !st string, 4th fret" ) in black color coded.

Let's see how we can carry the common notes from pattern #1 to create pattern #2 of the A harmonic minor scale.
The most important notes to carry overs are the Root/Tonic notes.
Look at the Root/Tonic notes on pattern #1. They are on 5th string Open and also on 3rd string 2nd fret - The A notes - from A to A is one octave.

We create pattern #2 by carry the most important note "A from 3rd string on 2nd fret. We need to have this NOTE on pattern #2".
Starts pattern #2 with the lowest reachable notes on 6th string 4th fret and it is the G# - lower octave.
Then the Main scale is started with the A in Solid Red as Root/tonic note. Continue playing your scale steps, you will reach the Root/Tonic note again to complete your scale " that is the root/Tonic note on 3rd string 2nd fret".
Continue your scale step so you can play the highest reachable note "in this case it is the A on 1st string - 5th fret - it is also the Root/Tonic note. Do you notice we have 3 Root/Tonic notes on pattern #2.
---

O.k let's carry the common notes from pattern #2 over to create pattern #3 of the A Harmonic Minor scale.
As you can see all the common notes on 5th fret of pattern #2 can be carried over to pattern #3.
Starts on 6th string 5th fret with the Root/Tonic "Solid Red" --- Notice this is the Main scale - there is no lower octave for pattern #3.
Continue playing your scale steps until you reach the Root/Tonic to complete your scale. It is the A solid Red on 4th string 7th fret.
Keep on playing your scale into the higher octave " we feature 3 octaves scale remember? For fuller sound o.k.
Do you see the Root/Tonic on 1st string 5th fret.
Continue play, you going to a higher octave. --- Notice we do not have lower octave for this pattern but we have 2 higher octaves, really cool and so much details and info isn't it?

Reminder. pattern # 2 has (2 adjunct patterns - pattern #1 ---- pattern #3 )
---

Let's us carry common notes from pattern #3 over to create pattern #4

This is the A Harmonic Minor scale displayed with Fingering ( right hand player)

The A Harminoc Minor scale displayed with Fingering

The Cage system for the A Harmonic Minor scale, displayed with Fingering for the fretboard hand. (left hand finger for right hand players).
Each Cage system have 5 patterns or 5 positions regardless if it is scale or arpeggios or Modes.

You should spend time to study the 5 individual patterns in depth than go to the Cage system to see the entire pictures of how the 5 patterns are connect and how each patterns relate to it adjacent patterns. ( Hint. If you study pattern #3 --- see the relationship between pattern #2 & pattern #4 --- see what make them connect and how they connect between pattern #2 & pattern #3 --- then see what happening between pattern #3 and pattern #4.

There are common notes from one pattern which you can carry over to create the adjacent patterns.

When you master the 5 patterns and be able to play a few notes from one pattern then jump to other patterns and continue play a few notes then jump to other patterns. Keep doing this, and listen to your playing, does it sound like a lick or a solo? cool yeah?
.

This is the A Harmonic Minor scale displayed with scale Intervals

The A Harminoc Minor scale displayed with scale Intervals

The Cage system for the A Harmonic Minor scale, displayed with scale Intervals.
Each Cage system have 5 patterns or 5 positions regardless if it is scale or arpeggios or Modes.

You should spend time to study the 5 individual patterns in depth than go to the Cage system to see the entire pictures of how the 5 patterns are connect and how each patterns relate to it adjacent patterns. ( Hint. If you study pattern #3 --- see the relationship between pattern #2 & pattern #4 --- see what make them connect and how they connect between pattern #2 & pattern #3 --- then see what happening between pattern #3 and pattern #4.

There are common notes from one pattern which you can carry over to create the adjacent patterns.

When you master the 5 patterns and be able to play a few notes from one pattern then jump to other patterns and continue play a few notes then jump to other patterns. Keep doing this, and listen to your playing, does it sound like a lick or a solo? cool yeah?
.

The Cage system for the A Harmonic Minor scale, displayed with scale Degrees

The A Harminoc Minor scale displayed with scale Degrees

The Cage system for the A Harmonic Minor scale, displayed with scale Degrees
Each Cage system have 5 patterns or 5 positions regardless if it is scale or arpeggios or Modes.

You should spend time to study the 5 individual patterns in depth than go to the Cage system to see the entire pictures of how the 5 patterns are connect and how each patterns relate to it adjacent patterns. ( Hint. If you study pattern #3 --- see the relationship between pattern #2 & pattern #4 --- see what make them connect and how they connect between pattern #2 & pattern #3 --- then see what happening between pattern #3 and pattern #4.

There are common notes from one pattern which you can carry over to create the adjacent patterns.

When you master the 5 patterns and be able to play a few notes from one pattern then jump to other patterns and continue play a few notes then jump to other patterns. Keep doing this, and listen to your playing, does it sound like a lick or a solo? cool yeah?
.

Featured Lenses