Home Row Scales Part 6: Minor to Harmonic Minor

The Harmonic Minor is a wonderful scale to add spice to your compositions and improvisations. Here is a way to quickly figure out the harmonic minor scale starting on any note.

We start with our Minor Scale

A B C D E F G A

Then we raise the 7th scale degree, in this case G to G#. That’s it.

A B C D E F G# A

Unfortunately, staying in position makes for some “evil” stretches, so I have included fingering for “The Evil Stretch” Version and the “Easier Shift” Version. Both have challenges as demonstrated in the video below. However, learning both gives you a wide area to chose notes from. I use the Three Things Method to quickly get the scale under my fingers.

Now that you have it under your fingers, try playing over this chord progression | A- | F E7 | A- | G#dim E7b9|. I use iReal Pro and create a chart, however you can use a loop pedal, DAW, or jam with a friend!

Have Fun!