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Scales

D harmonic minor scale

The D harmonic minor scale notes: D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C♯. Natural minor with a raised 7th (the leading tone). The gap between the 6th and 7th notes, an augmented second, gives it its exotic sound.

Notes and steps

D1E2F♭3G4A5B♭♭6C♯7

Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H · W = whole step, H = half step

D harmonic minor scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

D harmonic minor scale on the guitar fretboardEFGAB♭C♯DEAB♭C♯DEFGADEFGAB♭C♯DGAB♭C♯DEFGC♯DEFGAB♭EFGAB♭C♯DE357912

D harmonic minor scale on piano

D harmonic minor scale on the piano keyboardDEFGADEFGAC♯B♭C♯B♭

Chords in this scale

Other scales from D

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D harmonic minor scale?

D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C♯. Step formula: W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (D). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash