fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

F Harmonic Minor

Natural minor with a raised 7th, restoring the leading-tone pull to the tonic. The augmented 2nd between ♭6 and ♮7 gives it its characteristic exotic edge.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title F Harmonic Minor Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: EADGBE
35791215EADGBEEFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGB♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CEFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFGA♭B♭CD♭EFG
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Alternate arrangements
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the F Harmonic Minor scale?

The F Harmonic Minor scale uses the notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Harmonic Minor scale formula?

The Harmonic Minor scale follows the interval pattern W H W W H W+H H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on F to get the F Harmonic Minor scale.

What chords work over F Harmonic Minor?

Harmonic minor's diatonic chords include i minor, ii°, ♭III+ augmented, iv minor, V major (with the leading tone), ♭VI major, vii° diminished. V→i is the strong cadence.

How do I finger F Harmonic Minor on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Harmonic Minor scale?

Natural minor with a raised 7th, restoring the leading-tone pull to the tonic. The augmented 2nd between ♭6 and ♮7 gives it its characteristic exotic edge.