The Guitar Source

Part 2 - Melody

The harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in that it has a raised 7^th note. This gives it a kind of Eastern or Arabic sound. The step pattern is therefore:

So, in the key of A, we get:

On the guitar, we could play it on the G string (3^rd string) like this:

Fingering for Root Note on 5^th String:

This pattern can be used when the root note of the harmonic minor scale falls anywhere on the 5^th string.

Fingering for Root Note on 6^th String:

This pattern can be used when the root note of the harmonic minor scale falls anywhere on the 6^th string.

Notice the difference in sound this scale produces. Remember to practice these scales in every position up and down the fingerboard.