What is the harmonic minor scale on guitar?

The harmonic minor scale has the formula 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-7. It is identical to the natural minor scale except the 7th degree is raised by one semitone. In A harmonic minor the notes are A B C D E F G#. The raised G# is called the leading tone and it creates a powerful pull to the tonic A. This leading tone is the defining feature that makes harmonic minor sound classical and dramatic.

What is the augmented 2nd in harmonic minor guitar?

The augmented 2nd is the 3-semitone interval between the flat 6th (b6) and the raised 7th (7) in harmonic minor. In A harmonic minor, this is between F (b6) and G# (7). It creates the exotic, Middle Eastern, or Spanish sound associated with harmonic minor. On guitar in Position 1, you jump from fret 6 to fret 8 on the B string, skipping one fret compared to any diatonic scale. This 3-fret leap is the signature of harmonic minor soloing.

What are the 5 positions for A harmonic minor on guitar?

The 5 positions for A harmonic minor start at different fret positions across the neck. Position 1 starts at fret 4-5 (root on low E at fret 5), Position 2 at fret 7-8, Position 3 at fret 9-12, Position 4 at fret 12-15 (octave of Position 1), and Position 5 at fret 14-17. In each position, locate the raised G# (raised 7th) note first, as it is the note that distinguishes harmonic minor from natural minor. The G# always creates a 3-fret stretch when approached from the F (b6) below it.

Who uses harmonic minor scale on guitar?

Yngwie Malmsteen is the most famous harmonic minor guitar player, basing his entire neoclassical metal style on A harmonic minor and Bach-influenced phrasing. Jason Becker and Paul Gilbert also built careers on harmonic minor technique. Santana uses harmonic minor in Black Magic Woman and other songs. Classical guitarists use harmonic minor in repertoire from Bach through Tarrega. Flamenco guitar requires harmonic minor for authentic Andalusian cadences (i-VII-VI-V with a major V chord). The scale is also used by Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) who pioneered the neoclassical metal style before Yngwie.

scales.beatkey.app

Harmonic Minor Scale Guitar

All 5 fretboard positions with TAB for the harmonic minor scale. The raised 7th, augmented 2nd, and the neoclassical metal scale explained.

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

Formula (7 = raised leading tone)

5 Positions

Full fretboard coverage

i - V7 - i

The classical cadence (Am - E7 - Am)

One Note Changes Everything

A Natural Minor

A - B - C - D - E - F - G

The V chord in A minor is Em (minor)

Em has no leading tone pull to Am

A Harmonic Minor

A - B - C - D - E - F - G#

The V chord in A harmonic minor is E major or E7

G# resolves powerfully up to A (one semitone)

Why raise the 7th? The natural minor scale has a minor v chord (Em in A minor). A minor v chord has weak pull to the tonic. Composers raised the 7th (G to G#) to create a major V chord (E major) with a strong leading tone. G# is only one semitone below A, so it resolves upward with maximum tension and release. That single G# is why harmonic minor exists and why it sounds classical.

The Augmented 2nd: The Exotic Sound

Between the b6 (F) and the raised 7th (G#) there is a 3-semitone jump, wider than any step in a diatonic scale. This interval is called an augmented 2nd.

Natural minor:F (b6) .... G (b7) = 2 semitones
Harmonic minor:F (b6) .... G# (7) = 3 semitones (augmented 2nd)

On guitar in Position 1: B string fret 6 (F) then fret 8 (G#), skipping fret 7. This 3-fret leap creates the Arabic, Middle Eastern, Spanish, and Eastern European sound. Emphasize it in solos by sliding from F to G# or using it as a descending leap.

5 Positions for A Harmonic Minor

Root on low E at fret 5 (A). The yellow G# is the raised 7th (leading tone), the note that defines harmonic minor.

Position 1 (Root Shape)

Start here. Root on low E at fret 5 (A). The raised 7th (G#) is on the B string at fret 8, one fret above the natural minor 7th (G). This is the note that makes harmonic minor sound classical and exotic.

Raised 7th (G#): Fret 8, B string (the raised G#, the leading tone)

e|-- 5-- 8--|

B|-- 5-- 6-- 8--|

G|-- 5-- 7--|

D|-- 5-- 7--|

A|-- 5-- 7--|

E|-- 4-- 5-- 7--|

Position 1 of 5 — starting around fret 4

Position 2

Root on A string at fret 7. The raised 7th (G#) appears on the high e string at fret 8 and on the low E at fret 11. Notice the 3-fret stretch between F (fret 8, A string) and G# (fret 11, A string) -- that is the augmented 2nd.

Raised 7th (G#): Fret 8, high e string (G# raised 7th)

e|-- 8--10--|

B|-- 8--10--|

G|-- 7-- 9--|

D|-- 7-- 9--10--|

A|-- 7-- 8--11--|

E|-- 7-- 8--10--|

Position 2 of 5 — starting around fret 7

Position 3

Mid-neck position. Root on G string at fret 9. The raised 7th (G#) appears on the D string at fret 11 and B string at fret 10. The augmented 2nd stretch (3 frets) between b6 and #7 is most felt in this position.

Raised 7th (G#): Fret 11, D string (G# raised 7th)

e|--10--12--|

B|--10--12--|

G|-- 9--10--12--|

D|-- 9--10--12--|

A|--10--11--|

E|--10--12--|

Position 3 of 5 — starting around fret 9

Position 4

Octave of Position 1. Root on low E at fret 12 (A). The raised 7th (G#) appears on the B string at fret 13+7=... actually high e at fret 15 and B at fret 13. Classic neoclassical metal territory, great for sweep picking.

Raised 7th (G#): Fret 13, B string (G# raised 7th, octave up)

e|--12--15--|

B|--13--15--|

G|--12--14--|

D|--12--14--|

A|--12--14--|

E|--12--13--15--|

Position 4 of 5 — starting around fret 12

Position 5

High neck position. Root A on high e at fret 17. Connects back to Position 1 an octave up. The raised 7th (G#) on G string at fret 16 and D string at fret 16. Great for descending neoclassical runs toward the nut.

Raised 7th (G#): Fret 16, G string (G# raised 7th)

e|--15--17--|

B|--15--17--|

G|--14--16--17--|

D|--14--16--17--|

A|--14--15--17--|

E|--15--17--|

Position 5 of 5 — starting around fret 14

How to Use the Raised 7th (G#)

1. Resolve to the tonic

Play G# and immediately resolve up to A. This half-step resolution is the most powerful move in harmonic minor. Use it to end phrases with a conclusive classical cadence.

2. Build the V7 chord

E7 in A harmonic minor = E G# B D. The G# is what makes it a dominant 7th chord instead of minor. Arpeggiate E-G#-B-D then resolve to Am for the classic V7-i cadence.

3. Leap the augmented 2nd

Play F (b6) then jump to G# (raised 7th): the 3-fret leap is the exotic, Spanish, Arabic sound. Slide from F to G# for maximum drama. This interval is impossible to ignore in a solo.

4. Sweep arpeggio approach

Neoclassical metal style: sweep pick Am arpeggio (A-C-E), then E7 arpeggio (E-G#-B-D), then resolve to Am. The G# connecting both arpeggios is the key to Yngwie's sound.

5. Mix with natural minor

Alternate G and G# freely during a solo. G natural = bluesy, rock feel. G# = classical, dramatic, resolved. Switching between them mid-phrase creates tension and release within the solo itself.

6. Detect key first

Use BeatKey to detect the key of a reference track. If it returns A minor, try A harmonic minor positions and listen for whether the raised G# fits. Classical and flamenco tracks almost always use harmonic minor.

Harmonic Minor vs Natural Minor vs Melodic Minor

Feature	Harmonic Minor	Natural Minor	Melodic Minor
Formula	1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7	1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7	1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (asc)
Key difference	Raised 7th (leading tone)	b6 and b7 (darkest)	Raised 6th AND 7th
In A: the 7th	G# (raised 7, leading tone)	G natural (flat 7)	G# (ascending only)
V chord type	Major V or V7 (E or E7)	Minor v (Em in A minor)	Major V or V7 (E or E7)
Characteristic sound	Classical, dramatic, exotic (aug 2nd)	Dark, rock/folk, Aeolian	Jazz, smooth, no aug 2nd
Augmented 2nd	Yes (b6 to 7 = 3 semitones)	None	No (6th also raised)
Best for	Classical, neoclassical, flamenco	Rock, metal, singer-songwriter	Jazz, neo-soul, smooth R&B

All 12 Harmonic Minor Keys for Guitar

Key	Notes	Raised 7th	Low E Fret	Genres
A harmonic minor	A B C D E F G#	G#	5	Neoclassical Metal, Classical, Flamenco
E harmonic minor	E F# G A B C D#	D#	0	Neoclassical Metal, Classical, Rock
B harmonic minor	B C# D E F# G A#	A#	7	Classical, Metal, Film Score
D harmonic minor	D E F G A Bb C#	C#	10	Classical, Flamenco, Metal
G harmonic minor	G A Bb C D Eb F#	F#	3	Classical, Latin, Jazz
C harmonic minor	C D Eb F G Ab B	B	8	Classical, Metal, Dramatic Film
F harmonic minor	F G Ab Bb C Db E	E	1	Classical, Jazz, Film Score
F# harmonic minor	F# G# A B C# D E#	E#	2	Metal, Classical, Celtic
C# harmonic minor	C# D# E F# G# A B#	B#	9	Metal, Rock, Classical
G# harmonic minor	G# A# B C# D# E F##	F##	4	Classical, Metal
Bb harmonic minor	Bb C Db Eb F Gb A	A	6	Classical, Jazz, Film Score
Eb harmonic minor	Eb F Gb Ab Bb Cb D	D	11	Classical, Orchestral

Low E fret = where to find the root note on the low E string. Use Position 1 starting from that fret.

Famous Harmonic Minor Guitar Songs

Far Beyond the Sun by Yngwie Malmsteen A harmonic minor

The quintessential harmonic minor neoclassical guitar piece. Yngwie uses every position of A harmonic minor for blazing scalar runs and arpeggios, directly influenced by Bach and Paganini.

Eruption (certain sections) by Eddie Van Halen A harmonic minor

Van Halen uses harmonic minor sections in his legendary solo for the classical, dramatic tension before resolving back to the tonic.

Paganini Caprice No. 24 (guitar adaptations) by Paganini / Jason Becker A harmonic minor

The most covered classical piece by neoclassical guitarists. Jason Becker and Yngwie Malmsteen both recorded guitar versions. Pure harmonic minor throughout.

Black Magic Woman by Santana D harmonic minor

The V chord (A7) contains C# (the raised 7th of D harmonic minor), giving the song its characteristic dark tension. The minor iv (Gm) is also a harmonic minor feature.

Sultans of Swing (solo) by Dire Straits D harmonic minor

Mark Knopfler weaves harmonic minor runs through the iconic solo, adding classical tension to the blues-rock base with the raised C# leading tone.

Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tarrega A harmonic minor

The most famous tremolo piece in classical guitar. The A harmonic minor scale with its raised G# creates the Spanish, Moorish sound that defines classical guitar heritage.

Genre Guide: Where Harmonic Minor Lives

Genre	Common Keys	How It's Used	Tip
Neoclassical Metal	A or E harmonic minor	Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert. The raised 7th enables classical cadences (V7-i) in a rock context. Sweep arpeggios over Am, C, E7 are the foundation of the style.	Practice the V7 arpeggio (E7 in A harmonic minor: E G# B D) alongside the scale. The G# is the connecting note between scalar runs and arpeggios.
Classical Guitar	Any key	Harmonic minor IS the minor mode of Western classical music from 1600-1900. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven all wrote in harmonic minor. Every classical guitarist must know all positions.	Focus on the V - i resolution (E7 to Am in A minor). Play it slowly, then ornament the G# with a trill or mordent for an authentic classical phrasing.
Flamenco	A, D, or E harmonic minor	The Andalusian cadence (i-VII-VI-V) requires the V chord to be major (using the raised 7th). Without G#, you cannot play authentic flamenco. The augmented 2nd interval (F to G#) is a flamenco signature sound.	The augmented 2nd (3-fret jump between b6 and raised 7th) can be played as a slide or melodic leap. It sounds most "Spanish" when emphasized in descending runs.
Jazz / Fusion	C or F harmonic minor	The harmonic minor scale generates unique chord tensions. The ii dim7 chord and V7b9 chord come from harmonic minor and are essential jazz vocabulary. "Augmented" i chord (Im/maj7) is a jazz harmonic minor staple.	Try the "harmonic minor ii-V-i" substitution: play Bdim7 - E7b9 - Am instead of the regular Bm7b5 - E7 - Am. The dim7 gives a darker, more dramatic jazz sound.
Film Score / Cinematic	Any key (C and D most common)	The V7-i resolution creates unavoidable emotional tension. Film composers use harmonic minor for villain themes, dramatic reveals, and ancient/exotic settings (the augmented 2nd sounds "Middle Eastern").	The augmented 2nd (b6 to 7) is the key to cinematic exotic sound. Emphasize it in slow melodic lines for maximum dramatic effect.
Dark Hip-Hop / Trap	A or C harmonic minor	Producers like Metro Boomin sample or replay harmonic minor loops. The raised 7th over a minor chord creates the eerie "im/maj7" sound common in dark trap production.	Play Am major 7 chord (A C E G#) as a sustained chord under a 808 pattern. The G# creates the signature "eerie major 7 over minor" tension heard in dark trap.

6 Practice Tips for Harmonic Minor

Learn the raised 7th location in every position first. Before memorizing the full scale, just find the G# in each position. In Position 1 it is B string fret 8. In Position 2 it is high e fret 8. Knowing where the exotic note lives is 80% of harmonic minor fluency.

Practice the V7-i resolution daily. Play E7 (E G# B D) then Am. Repeat until the G# to A half-step resolution feels inevitable. This two-chord cadence is harmonic minor in its essence and will train your ear to hear the scale.

Isolate the augmented 2nd leap (F to G#) as a lick. Play F (B string fret 6) and jump to G# (B string fret 8), then resolve to A (B string fret 10). This two-note pattern sounds instantly exotic. Practice it ascending and descending as a standalone ornament.

Compare harmonic vs natural minor back to back. Play a lick in A natural minor (ending on G), then the same lick in A harmonic minor (ending on G#). Hear how the G# creates classical resolution while G sounds bluesy and open. This comparison trains the ear faster than any other exercise.

Use a backing track in A minor with an E7 chord. If the chord is Em, use natural minor. If the chord is E7, switch to harmonic minor. The raised 7th (G#) fits perfectly over E7 because G# is in the E7 chord (E-G#-B-D). This is the most practical application of harmonic minor in real playing.

Connect all 5 positions along the neck. Start at Position 1 (fret 5), ascend through each position to Position 5 (fret 17), then descend. The goal is to move through the scale without stopping, treating the entire fretboard as one harmonic minor landscape rather than 5 separate boxes.