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D harmonic minor scale on guitar
D harmonic minor uses D, E, F, G, A, B♭, C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5 fret 5 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the D harmonic minor scale on guitar?
D harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
D harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of D natural minor from C to C♯, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between B♭ and C♯ gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with D natural minor to hear the raised seventh.
When to use it
Use D harmonic minor over D minor and D 5th chords. It also fits A major as the dominant. The raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic, making it ideal for classical cadences and flamenco progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root on string 5 fret 5 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in D harmonic minor?
D harmonic minor contains D, E, F, G, A, B♭, and C♯. The raised seventh is C♯. The scale has an augmented second between B♭ and C♯.
Which chords does D harmonic minor fit?
D harmonic minor fits D minor and D 5th chords. It also works over A major as the dominant. The scale outlines a D minor tonality with a major V chord.
How does D harmonic minor differ from D natural minor?
D harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from C to C♯. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.