The illustration above displays a C harmonic minor scale, constrasted against both the major and natural minor scales. Notice the harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in just one note; the raised seventh. This note contains the strongest color in the scale, in that it carries a certain degree of tension, and should be used with this knowledge in mind. Hanging onto the seventh degree of the scale, then resolving it up a semi-tone to the root is a nice way to create a tension-release scenario when improvising over a minor chord.
The Harmonic Minor Scale Explored
By Dan Cross, About.com
Although learning this theory isn't essential in knowing how to use the harmonic minor scale, it can help broaden your understanding of how and when to use the scale.
Prev
- Using the Harmonic Minor to Add New Sounds to Your Solos
- First Position of the Harmonic Minor
- Second Position of the Harmonic Minor
- Theory Behind the Harmonic Minor Scale
- Harmonic Minor Scale Over the Guitar Fretboard
- Diatonic Chords of the Harmonic Minor
- Using the Harmonic Minor Scale Over Minor Chords
- Listening to and Practicing Harmonic Minor Solos
- Using the Harmonic Minor Scale Over Dominant 7th Chords
- Using the Harmonic Minor Scale in the Real World
More on Minor Scales
More on Minor Keys
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