ScalesE Harmonic Minor
Guitar scale · fretboard map
E Harmonic Minor Scale
The E Harmonic Minor scale is built from the notes E, F#, G, A, B, C, and D#. 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 E highlighted.
The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised seventh: exotic and tense, running from classical to neoclassical shred.
Notes in the E Harmonic Minor scale
E1
F#2
Gb3
A4
B5
Cb6
D#7
E Harmonic Minor scale on the fretboard
root (E) 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 E
E MajorE Natural MinorE Major PentatonicE Minor PentatonicE BluesE DorianE PhrygianE LydianE Mixolydian
The harmonic minor scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the E Harmonic Minor scale?
- The E Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, and D#. As scale degrees those are 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7.
- How do you play the E 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 (E) highlighted. The pattern is movable: learn the shape once and you can slide it to start on any root. Anchor your playing to the E notes so the scale sounds resolved.
- What is the E 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 E and listen for how each note pulls back toward the root.