The harmonic minor scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The harmonic minor scale has 7 notes: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7. In A, that gives A, B, C, D, E, F and G♯. The natural minor with a major seventh, the leading tone, which gives a real dominant chord (E7 in A minor). The step and a half between the minor sixth and the seventh gives it its Middle Eastern color.

Also called: Harmonic minor.

Formula and notes

1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – step and a half – half step. In A:

One position on the neck

The harmonic minor scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--5--7-|
D|-6--7-|
A|-5--7--8-|
E|-4--5--7--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the harmonic minor scale

Minor with leading tone. The augmented ♭6-7 interval is its signature. The ♭6–7 augmented second (one and a half steps) gives the oriental/Spanish color; it makes the V7♭9.

You mostly hear it in classical music, neoclassical metal, flamenco and film music.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the harmonic minor scale fits Am(maj7), Adim7 and A7♭9. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the harmonic minor scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The natural minor scale: ♭7 instead of 7.
• The melodic minor scale: 6 instead of ♭6.
• The Neapolitan minor scale: ♭2 instead of 2.
• The Hungarian minor scale: ♯4 instead of 4.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions