Learn these two scales, the harmonic and melodic minor scales through this lesson and start applying them to your playing. By raising the seventh note of the natural minor to a major seventh interval, this scale resolves to the tonic with more movement. I have a dvd and download called master the major scale which goes into a detailed practical approach to learning to use that. Not only do we know that the flat 3 refers to the 3 rd note of the major scale being lowered by a semitone, but we can learn to understand how that flat 3 sounds and behaves. Link to free printable guitar scales pdf file with all 5 positions of the guitar harmonic minor scale. Scales and theory for guitar including the circle of keys.
If that dont make sense yet, you might not need to learn it. For intermediate to advanced players who already know and use major and minor scales and modes, this book includes complete notation and tablature for all examples, shortcuts to getting the scales under your fingers, interval studies and melodic patterns, analysis of. Today i want to cover the harmonic minor scale, including some shapes, harmony and practical application that i hope you will enjoy and of course get some real world use from in your own guitar playing. Music theory for guitar introduction olav torvunds guitar pages music theory book of the month january 2005 happy traum. Finally, here are some chord progressions for you to practice these scales over. The evolution of the harmonic and melodic minor scales. The minor scale in its purity is called the natural minor scale, and it is the base for 2 more scales, the harmonic minor scale sharp 7th degree, and the melodic minor scale sharp 6th and 7th degrees.
The e minor harmonic scale learn how and when to play the e minor harmonic scale. This next level guitar blues masters dvd course comes complete with seven dvds and three audio jam track cds. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Now that you know how to use the harmonic minor scale in jazz, how to play it on guitar, and some licks using this scale, you can take it to a tune heres a onechorus solo over summertime in the key of am, that uses two different harmonic minor scales, a hm and d hm learn each phrase one at a time, then bring the solo together as a whole from there. Aug 03, 2019 the harmonic minor scale is one of several minor guitar scales that can be used in improvisation. Minor scales are built on the 6th scale degree of a major scale. In popular music, the two most commonly used types of scales are the pentatonic scale and the major scale. Scale notes make patterns on the fretboard, which guitarists finger and pick position to position. Notice how the mode names are derivative of the major scale modes.
In music, a scale is a series of notes played one at a time in ascending and descending fashion. It has the unusual feature of two augmented second intervals. All three chords are dominant 7 in the blues i7 iv7 v7. But this book can also be used on its own as a stand alone reference guide to scale diagrams, lead guitar soloing strategies, modal playing, learning to play over chord changes, and much more. Heres a free guitar scales pdf ebook 22 pages with plenty of scales and arpeggios patterns. Link to page dedicated to the guitar harmonic minor scale.
Have fun and i will see you tomorrow with the first installment of the harmonic minor scale video lessons. We can build modes from the harmonic minor scale in the same way we did with the major scale. However, this leaves a minor third interval between the sixth and seventh note. Free guitar scales pdf 84 scale and arpeggios chart. Bach to surf guitar pioneer dick dale check out the pulp fiction soundtrack to modern progressive fusion and metal players. If youve never fooled around with harmonic minor before, youll be immediately taken with the exotic almost spanish sound.
The sound of the harmonic scale is somewhat characterized by the music of the middle east. Link to page dedicated to the guitar locrian mode scale. This scale is a favorite among shredders like yngwie malmsteen, steve vai, joe satriani, and marty friedman. Below you will find a diagram of all three scales discussed in this guide, across the entire fretboard. A harmonic minor scale guitar chords diagrams scales keys. The harmonic minor scale is one of the most difficult scales to play because of the large interval between the flat 6th and raised 7th degrees and interval of an augmented second, same as a minor third. Clicking here and on the image below will open a pdf file of the harmonic scale chart that prints nicely. Oct 01, 2012 get more variety into your playing with this concise, easytouse book from one of todays bestregarded instructional authors. Guitar scales guitar scales regardless what instrument you play, learning to play scales is a rite of passage. Learn the note names all harmonic minor scales in table form, in all 12 circle of 5ths keys, including single and double accidental theoretical keys home mobile view scale.
There is a lot to talk about with harmonic minor but we have to start. In this lesson youll learn the theory behind the harmonic minor scale, where to apply it, four licks and an harmonic minor solo over the jazz standard summertime. How to harmonize minor scales with 7th chords learn jazz. Its common therefore to see something like i iv v7 progressions where the v7 is taken from the harmonic minor while the rest of the chords are taken from the natural minor. Modal scales for the guitar chords 101 complete guide to guitar chord theory. High graphic resolution enables printing of best quality large format printouts. Basically, dominant function is the tendency of the dominant chord, chord v, to pull to the tonic, chord i, in a key.
If you are a horn player, play the arpeggios of each. Natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales end of the game. The universal encyclopedia of scales mdecks music llc. Music theory pdf ebook for musicians and normal people. Chords in the key of a harmonic minor guitar chords. Natural, harmonic and melodic forms about minor scales. But beyond the natural minor scale is the harmonic and melodic minor scale. Music theory pdf ebook music theory is a simple matter, but the books complicate the subject. The harmonic minor scale was created when composers wanted to create minor sounds but still retain the powerful resolution that comes from the major v i cadence a natural minor scale has a minor v chord. Similarly, secondary dominants are a way of using the dominant sound to strengthen. The harmonic minor scale for jazz guitar theory, licks. Scales you can use in the real world, created by a human guitarist. This scale has been widely used for over 300 years by everyone from j.
The other two are the natural minor and the melodic minor. If youre an intermediate or advanced guitarist wanting to get more into the theory of scales, more advanced shapes and how theyre constructed check out some other free lessons on here. Dec 18, 2014 the double harmonic scale goes by several other names, including the arabic scale, gypsy scale and byzantine scale. To get the melodic minor scale you would raise both the 6 th and 7 scales degrees up one halfstep. Mar 16, 2012 the natural, harmonic and melodic minor scales. This document was created with prince, a great way of getting web content onto paper. The easiest way i know to learn all 7 harmonic minor scale shapes on the guitar neck. Below are the 5 positions of the harmonic minor scale mapped to the guitar fretboard. The harmonic minor scales keys are used as alternatives for the natural minor scales keys. For each scale, you can learn a number of different shapes and patterns, depending on the zone of the fretboard youre working on.
Using the major scale as a reference point also implies certain characteristics of other scales. Secondary dominant v of v in the key of c, the second chord ii, is a minor chord. Harmonic minor modes the harmonic minor scale is definitely an interesting one with its unique step and a half interval creating a very eastern sound to the western ear. Perhaps youve tried to study music theory on the internet, in books, or even with teachers, but without understanding or get put into practice the concepts. The harmonic minor scale is another variation of the natural minor scale. Basics of the harmonic minor scale on the guitar dummies. When playing most kinds of music, the most common chords will be the chord of the key you are working in and the chords on either side of it on the circle.
Woohoo if these free lessons help you, please donate to keep new ones coming daily. Overall, the harmonic minor scale is an extremely important scale to learn, both on guitar and to understand music in general, however it is not a good choice for beginners as there are other scales that are used far more than this one, and correct usage and good usage of harmonic minor requires you know how they work. The parallel lines of the frets and string work in. Natural, harmonic, and melodic forms margaret denton, piano minor scales. We call scales relative if they share the same key signature. This interactive pdf is organized by different scale theory properties which are used to linked related pages across the entire encyclopedia. Understanding minor scales guitarlessons365 free guitar. Chord progressions using the harmonic minor scale will often be mixed with chords taken from the other minor scales. This will help associate the scale patterns based on. What guitar scales to learn guitar music theory by desi serna. Scale harmonic minor 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,7 fullth pattern root note a guitar tuning. Olav torvunds guitar pages music theory book of the month january 2005 happy traum. Again we have the 12bar pattern, but this one is in minor key, or leans toward minor key as the chords do not have 3rds in them. The harmonic minor scale is one of three minor scales.
This is different from the natural minor scale as it contains a b instead of a bb. This one is very slow tempowise and is in the key of d minor. Harmonic minor scale guitar patterns fretboard chart, key. When practicing the scale, start and end on the root note. Scale construction in major, minor, harmonic minor and. Link to guitar pro file of tab for the guitar harmonic minor scale. Book two in the series on guitar theory, scales, chords, progressions, modes, songs. Play the chords if you are a pianist, guitarist, or another chordal instrument. Getting started with harmonic minorleads and jamming. Link to guitar pro file of tab for the guitar locrian mode scale. Clicking on the graphics will start playback of the integrated sound.
It is commonly used in solos when musicians want to spice things up. Its a type of guitar scale that you will not often see in pop music, while it is mostly used in classical, jazz, gypsy, and metal shredding music. To describe this, here are the 3 minor scale variations in the key of a. The harmonic minor scale is so named because, particularly in baroque and classical times, it was this scale, rather than for example a natural minor or melodic minor scale, which would have been used to harmonise music in a minor key. Harmonic minor scale the harmonic minor is a natural minor with a raised 7th degree which enables a dominant v chord. Guitar scales online guitar books home online guitar books. My blues lead guitar series will teach you all about using the minor pentatonic, the blues scale, the major pentatonic, dorian and mixolydian modes. A complimentary music theory overview for the guitarist. Then you should be fine to follow along with this pdf tutorial on minor scales. The raised 7th of the harmonic minor is more dissonant and creates a stronger resolve to the tonic, d. Guitar players use scales to play melodies, riffs, solos, and bass lines. Print it out and use it as a reference while youre playing the guitar. Double harmonic scale learn to play this exotic scale on guitar. Use the scale chart generator below to help you learn the harmonic minor scales in any key and just about any kind of guitar tuning.
Harmonic minor scale guitar patterns fretboard chart, key of. Introduction to scales books nothing is a practical as a good theory if you are not satisfied by knowing how. It includes chapters on scale theory, several master indexes by mode count and note count, source scales, symmteric scales and hexatonic bitriadic scales. The harmonic minor scale is an essential guitar scale to learn and apply to your solos. A common use of harmonic minor is when there is a major v chord in a minor key. In level of importance, i place this scale pretty low unless you are specifically looking to play classical baroque style music. Understanding minor scales free guitar lessons by carl brown.
Book two in the series on guitar theory, scales, chords, progressions, modes, songs, and more. Understanding basic music theory open textbooks for hong kong. The double harmonic scale goes by several other names, including the arabic scale, gypsy scale and byzantine scale. The harmonic scale is commonly used in jazz, gipsy, heavy metal, and gives a little tension that can be used to spice up your songs and solos. Link to free printable guitar scales pdf file with all 5 positions of the guitar locrian mode scale. Understanding minor scales intermediate music theory lesson. The ebook contains the most important scales for beginners, such as major and minor, but shows also more advanced. For example, the harmonic minor scale contains a flat 3. Harmonic minor, melodic minor, and diminished scales for.
Guitar scales printable charts of the most commonly used. The harmonic minor differs from the natural minor by the sharpened seventh note, and this minor scale is consequently not played in the same. Guitar practice the harmonic minor scale life in 12 keys. Dont spend a lot of time on this one unless you really know why you are learning it. In this new guitar tutorial, were going to learn the harmonic minor scale, in the key of e. What guitar scales to learn guitar music theory by desi. A complimentary music theory overview for the guitarist, by. The only difference between the natural minor and the harmonic minor is the major 7.
G major e minor pentatonic scale guitar scales the pentatonic scale is a favorite of many guitarists and its easy to see why. Minor scales are built on the 6th scale degree of a major scale to quickly find a major keys relative minor, count down 3 halfsteps from the tonic note of the major scale remember to start with the tonic then count downdont count the tonic note as one. Free printable guitar scales 14 most commonly used scales. For a natural minor scale the formula is w h w w h w w.
Near the bottom of the page i also provide a pdf download of all harmonic minor keys in standard tuning. Well be covering the relationship between these two scales in terms of the similarities and differences between them and also their application in traditional music theory. It is important to remember that the harmonic and melodic minor scales are only altered minor scales. The harmonic minor is one more type of scale thats useful for guitar players to know. It contains the sections chord, scale and arpeggio. Table of all scales in major, minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor as well as half stepwhole step, whole stephalf step, whole tone, diminished, augmented guitar. Before you dive into the harmonic minor scale on the guitar, you need to understand the concept of dominant function. The e minor harmonic scale learn how to play the guitar. In this tutorial, were going to study how to play the e minor harmonic scale on your guitar.
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