ScalesB Harmonic Minor
Guitar scale · fretboard map
B Harmonic Minor Scale
The B Harmonic Minor scale is built from the notes B, C#, D, E, F#, G, and A#. 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 B highlighted.
The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised seventh: exotic and tense, running from classical to neoclassical shred.
Notes in the B Harmonic Minor scale
B1
C#2
Db3
E4
F#5
Gb6
A#7
B Harmonic Minor scale on the fretboard
root (B) 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 B
B MajorB Natural MinorB Major PentatonicB Minor PentatonicB BluesB DorianB PhrygianB LydianB Mixolydian
The harmonic minor scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the B Harmonic Minor scale?
- The B Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, and A#. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7.
- How do you play the B 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 (B) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the B notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the B 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 B and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.