Guitar scale
A Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
A Harmonic Minor is a seven-note scale built from A, B, C, D, E, F, and Ab. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- ABCDEFAb
- Formula
- 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers represent A root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the A root notes and connect the remaining harmonic minor tones across standard tuning.
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with A Harmonic Minor loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
- Use A harmonic minor in minor keys where the V chord resolves strongly back to A minor.
- The major 7 creates a strong leading tone and gives the scale its classical and neoclassical minor sound.