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Scales

E harmonic minor scale

The E harmonic minor scale notes: E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D♯. 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

E1F♯2G♭3A4B5C♭6D♯7

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

E harmonic minor scale on guitar

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

E harmonic minor scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯GABCD♯EABCD♯EF♯GAD♯EF♯GABCGABCD♯EF♯GBCD♯EF♯GABEF♯GABCD♯E357912

E harmonic minor scale on piano

E harmonic minor scale on the piano keyboardCEGABCEGABD♯F♯D♯F♯

Chords in this scale

Other scales from E

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E harmonic minor scale?

E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D♯. 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 (E). 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