ScalesA Harmonic Minor
Guitar scale · fretboard map
A Harmonic Minor Scale
The A Harmonic Minor scale is built from the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G#. The diagram below maps every one of those notes across the guitar neck, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root A highlighted.
The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised seventh: exotic and tense, running from classical to neoclassical shred.
Notes in the A Harmonic Minor scale
A1
B2
Cb3
D4
E5
Fb6
G#7
A Harmonic Minor scale on the fretboard
root (A) other scale notes
Explore this on the interactive fretboard →
The free Fretboard Explorer lets you switch keys and see the CAGED shapes and scale overlays tile the whole neck.
Other scales in A
A MajorA Natural MinorA Major PentatonicA Minor PentatonicA BluesA DorianA PhrygianA LydianA Mixolydian
The harmonic minor scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the A Harmonic Minor scale?
- The A Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G#. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7.
- How do you play the A Harmonic Minor scale on guitar?
- Every note above is shown on the fretboard diagram, from the open strings up to the 12th fret, with the root (A) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the A notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the A Harmonic Minor scale used for?
- The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised seventh: exotic and tense, running from classical to neoclassical shred. Once the shape is under your fingers, try improvising over a backing track in A and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.