The Harmonic Minor Scale is common scale Classical and Neo-Classical (Yngwie and co.), and a few modes of it are commonly used. In level of importance, I place this scale pretty low unless you are specifically looking to play classical (baroque) style music. Don't spend a lot of time on this one until you have your major scales well sorted, and probably the melodic minor too.

Quick Harmonic Analysis

It is derived from the Natural Minor Scale with a raised 7th degree but can also be thought of as a Major scale with a flattened 3rd and flattened 6th.

The Harmonic minor was derived by the need for a Dominant chord on the 5th degree (V) of the minor scale - enabling a Perfect Cadence (a Dominant 7th V chord resolving to a I minor chord). In the Natural minor scale the V (5) chord is a minor chord (Gmin7, G Bb D F, in the key of C). By changing the note Bb in the scale to the note B it changes the V chord to a Dominant 7th chord (G7, G B D F, in the key of C). This enables a correct V-I resolution. More on this in a different lesson - not for here...

Shape and Chord Relationship

I have presented it here with the common CAGED chord tones in red so you can clearly see the relationship between the chord shape and the scale. It is a lot easier to find the scale around the shape, particularly when changing scale a lot (like in jazz) or playing modally.

The is no need to learn more shapes to play it's modes - modes are only these same scales but with tonal centre that is not the root. This will be discussed in another lesson, but for now, just get these shapes down really well.

Fingering

With each scale I have discussed my preferences for fingering the scale. There are many approaches and so long as you have a logical one, it will be fine. I have thought about these things a lot and think I have a compelling argument in favour of each finger decision, but please contact me (via the forum) if you disagree - I am certainly up for discussing it (how sad... get a life...).

I will also add the alternative shapes and fingerings that I know are in common usage and my reasons for choosing the ones I do. There is no right and wrong.

Scale Formula

The scale forumula for the major scale must be memorised, as you will use it often to work out chord tones. The formula describes the interval distances between each note of the scale.

T ^ S ^ T ^ T ^ S ^ ST ^ S
(T= Tone, S= Semitone, ST= 1.5 Tones)

Comparison With Major Scale

C Major = C D E F G A B C (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1)
C Harmonic Minor = C D Eb F G Ab B C (1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 1)

Tips for learning scales quickly, easily and perfectly

• DO IT SLOWLY AND GET IT RIGHT
Don't make any mistakes. Play it 4 times perfectly at a very slow speed and you will find you can speed it up without making mistakes and developing bad habits you will have to correct later.

• USE YOUR FINGER TIPS
Do not let your fingers "fold", use the tips the whole time, and definitely NO barrés at any point. Ever.

• ALWAYS START AND END ON THE LOWEST ROOT NOTE
T his will help train your ears into hearing the sound of the major scale, very important. So start on the lowest (pitched) root note, play up as far as you can, then go back down as low as you can, and then back up to the root note.

• LEARN THE POSITIONS (SHAPES) ONE AT A TIME
It is very important that you get all five of these positions down... eventually, but please start with one at a time - much much better to be able to use one scale shape and play a solo than play five up and down and not be able to do anything with them :)

So what is all this CAGED stuff?

You should understand CAGED well before you even think about looking at this scale!

Root Notes???

You should understand root notes well before you look at these scales...

The Scale Shapes

	Position 1 - E shape This is the most commonly learnt Harmonic Minor scale position. It is pretty easy to play. Alternatives There a quite a few variations of this one, but this is the standard one as it fits around the chord shape well.
	Position 2 - D shape This is what it is ;) Alternatives Not sure, can think of many other choices but no common ones... will keep an eye out ;)
	Position 3 - C shape Fits around the chord shape well, but the chord is hard to play! Alternatives This one has those first finger slides that I like, and the fingering down on the 5/6 strings is a little tricky - you have to tilt your hand to get them (kinda goes against my usual principles) but seems the best option.
	Position 4 - A shape This should be the second position you learn. Don't forget to start on the root note, not the lowest note... this is a very common fingering for this scale. Alternatives The most common alternative is not to slide back with the first finger on the 5th string but to stretch out for it with the little finger on the 6th string.
	Position 5 - G shape This is the last one :) bit awkward, but ok. Don't use this one much me... Alternatives mmmm... no idea ;)

 

HELP!!!!

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