Explore scales · Bass
A♭ harmonic minor scale on bass guitar
A♭ harmonic minor is A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G. Box 2 starts on string 4, fret 4 and keeps the raised seventh under your fingers.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A♭ harmonic minor scale on bass?
A♭ harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | F♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A♭ harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 12 | F♭, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A♭ harmonic minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the seventh of A♭ natural minor from G♭ to G. The step pattern becomes W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The 1½-step between F♭ and G creates the scale's distinctive pull. Compare with A♭ natural minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A♭ harmonic minor over A♭ minor progressions that include E♭ major, like A♭m–E♭–A♭m. It suits classical and Middle Eastern styles. Try it with A♭ minor and E♭ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. It covers frets 4–7 and places the root on string 4, fret 4, with the raised seventh on string 2, fret 5.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G. The raised seventh G distinguishes it from natural minor. This creates a leading tone to the tonic A♭. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ harmonic minor?
The tonic chord is A♭ minor, and the dominant is E♭ major. The seventh degree forms G diminished. Common progressions include A♭m–E♭–A♭m.
What is the step pattern for A♭ harmonic minor?
The step pattern is W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The 1½-step between F♭ and G creates the augmented-second pull. This pattern defines the harmonic minor sound.