Harmonic Minor Scale

The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with one change: the 7th goes up a half step. In A, the G becomes G#, and two things happen. The G# sits a half step under the root, so melodies pull hard back to A. And the gap between F and G# opens up to a step and a half, the augmented 2nd that gives the scale its exotic, old-world sound.

You hear it in classical music, neoclassical metal, flamenco, Middle Eastern melodies and minor-key jazz. It also does a job in harmony: it builds the E7 chord in A minor, the V chord that makes a minor key sound finished when it resolves.

This chapter has three lessons:

1. Formula, patterns and sound: the degrees, five positions plus a three-notes-per-string pattern, and a first melody over an A bass.
2. Practice exercises: a full pattern in sixteenths, a sequence, 3rds and a line that connects positions.
3. Soloing: an Am to E7 vamp and two original licks that resolve the G# to A.