Harmonic Minor Scale

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The harmonic minor scale outlines a minor-major seventh chord, and is therefore used over these chords:

[EXAMPLE]

The harmonic minor scale may be used over any chord diatonic to the corresponding minor key. It is commonly used over ii-V-i progressions:

[EXAMPLE]

The root of this scale is an avoid note over the V chord, but aside from that, the scale fits the chord well, and includes a flat ninth and sharp fifth to give it extra color, which minor keys seem to almost require:

[EXAMPLE]

Note the ii chord generated by this scale is a minor seventh flat five chord. This is somewhat more common than the minor seventh ii chord generated by the melodic minor scale, so the harmonic minor scale is usually a better choice than the melodic minor when one wants to use a single scale over an entire ii-V-i progression in a minor key.

Copyright 2000 Outside Shore Music
Authored by Marc Sabatella

Harmonic Minor Scale