Harmonic Minor Scale Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (07:06) Harmonic Minor Scale Brad continues his discussion of scales with the harmonic minor scale. Brad recently filmed a Phase 3 lesson pertaining to the solo section of "Sweet Child O' Mine." The first half of the guitar solo in this song utilizes the E harmonic minor scale. In the current lesson, Brad explains key features of this scale. He also demonstrates how this scale can be used in a practical setting.

Whole and Half Step Relationships

Analyze the whole and half step relationships within this scale. The harmonic minor scale follows the following pattern of half steps and whole steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole + a half, half.

If we apply this pattern of intervals to the tonic note of E, the following harmonic minor scale is produced: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E.

As you can see, the scale begins with a whole step followed by a half step. If you have been watching Brad's lessons that pertain to the modes of the major scale, you know that this feature of the scale gives it a minor quality.

Another key feature of this scale is the augmented second interval between the sixth and seventh scale degrees. An augmented second is comprised of three half steps. In the scales that you have learned up to this point, the largest interval found within a scale is the whole step, also known as a major second.

The most important feature of the harmonic minor scale is the raised seventh scale degree. Compare the spelling of the E natural minor scale to the spelling of E harmonic minor. Remember that the natural minor scale is simply another way of referring to the Aeolian mode.

E natural minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E.
E harmonic minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E.

The seventh scale degree of the natural minor scale is raised (sharpened) to form the harmonic minor scale.

E Harmonic Minor Fretboard Pattern

Note: Open "Harmonic Minor Scale" under the Supplemental Content tab for the two most common fingerings of the E harmonic minor scale. All five patterns of this scale will be posted in Supplemental Content in the near future. All of these patterns can be transposed to any minor key.

A filled-in circle indicates the root note of this scale. The numbers within the circles represent the appropriate scale degree. Do note confuse these numbers with fret locations or fingering indications.

Similar to the finger patterns for the modes that Brad has already taught, this pattern primarily features three notes on each string. The only exception is the third string. There are only two notes on the G string of this pattern – G and A. As you learned in previous modal lessons, this feature of the pattern enables you to play rapid triplet lines using hammer-ons and pull-offs. Brad frequently applies this technique in most of his introduction solos.

Fingering of the Pattern

This particular pattern contains two finger stretches. The pinky finger performs both of these stretches. Once you reach the fourth string, fret the 16th fret with the pinky. Once you reach the second string, the note at the 16th fret is also fretted by the pinky. Whenever you perform any finger stretch, the left hand should not move out of position at all. The indicated finger must perform the entire stretch by itself. If you observe this important technical rule, you will be able to play the scale faster and with more accuracy. Watch Brad carefully as he plays through the pattern.

Modes of the Harmonic Minor Scale

Similar to the major scale, a specific mode can be built from each scale degree of the harmonic minor scale. These modes will be discussed in future lessons of Matt Brown's jazz series. Currently, the JamPlay staff is working on creating a scale library in the "Learning Tools" section. Diagrams of these modes will be added to this section.

Primary Triads

The primary triads of the harmonic minor scale are the i, iv, and V chords. In E harmonic minor, these chords are Em, Am, and B major.

Improvising with the Harmonic Minor Scale

The harmonic minor scale can be used over any chord progression in a minor key that features a major V chord. Let's take a look at the key of E minor for a quick example.

The tonic chord in this key is Em. The V chord is B major. A B major chord contains the following notes: B, D#, F#. The third of this chord is D#. This note is the raised seventh scale degree of the E harmonic minor scale.

For the first half of the solo in "Sweet Child O' Mine," Slash derives his licks from the E harmonic minor scale. Why did he choose to use this scale? Take a look at the chord progression played during the solo section. This progression is comprised of the following chords: Em, C, B, Am. All of these chords are diatonic to the harmonic minor tonality. Em, Am, and B are the primary triads. C functions as the diatonic VI chord in E harmonic minor.

To practice improvising using the E harmonic minor scale, record yourself playing this progression. Then, play the tape back and begin to formulate some licks. As usual, feel free to steal some of the ideas that Brad has played in this lesson.

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