Improvising Over Harmonic Minor (Guitar Lesson)

Chapter 1: (00:46) Introduction Lesson Objectives

In this lesson, you will practice your improvisational skills by playing over two basic harmonic minor progressions. One progression is played in A harmonic minor. The other progression is played in E harmonic minor.

These progressions are first analyzed from a theoretical perspective. Then, Matt continues to discuss the scale options that will work over the progressions.
Chapter 2: (06:07) Theory and Improvising Backing Track 1

The first backing track consists of the three primary triads from the A harmonic minor tonality. Within every scale tonality, three primary triads outline the basic harmonic structure produced by the scale. The primary triads for the harmonic minor tonality are the i, iv, and V chords. In relation to A harmonic minor, these chords are Am, Dm, and E respectively. The i chord functions as a minor tonic. The iv minor chord typically returns to tonic or is followed by the V or vi chord. The V chord typically resolves back to i or resolves deceptively to VI.

In the backing track, Matt plays basic open chord voicings for the Am, Dm, and E chords.

Watch and Learn

Watch and listen several times as Matt improvises over a backing track in A harmonic minor.

Scale Options

You are not limited to playing the harmonic minor scale over this progression. This will result in a rather boring, "vanilla" sound.

Try the following options over Am:

A harmonic minor
A natural minor
A minor pentatonic
A minor blues

Try the following options over Dm:

A harmonic minor
A natural minor
A minor pentatonic
A minor blues

Over E:

All of the same options work again. However, it is a good idea to highlight the leading tone in the E chord (G#) by using the harmonic minor scale.

Second Improv Example

Try to pick out when Matt is using each of the scale options listed above as he improvises over the backing track at 03:34. Chapter 3: (02:18) Backing Track Practice improvising over the backing track with the scale options that you learned in the previous scene.
Chapter 4: (03:34) E Minor Progression Chord Progression / Chord Voicings

The progression demonstrated in this scene is diatonic to the E harmonic minor tonality. It consists of the following chords: i (Em), i/#vii (Em/D#), vi (C major), and V7 (B7).

Note: Tablature and standard notation to this backing track can be found under the Supplemental Content tab.

Watch and Learn

Watch and listen several times as Matt improvises over this backing track. Feel free to steal any of the licks he uses and insert them into your own solos.

Scale Options

Em:

E harmonic minor
E natural minor
E minor pentatonic
E minor blues

Em/D#

E harmonic minor

C:

E harmonic minor
E natural minor
E minor pentatonic
E minor blues

E natural minor sounds best.

B7

E harmonic minor
E natural minor
E minor pentatonic
E minor blues

E harmonic minor works best since this chord contains a D# (leading tone or raised seventh in the key of Em). Chapter 5: (01:50) Backing Track Practice your improvisational skills by using the scale options discussed in the previous scene.

Preview of Next Lesson

Matt addresses some additional applications of the harmonic minor scale by taking an in depth look at the solo section to "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses.

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