E harmonic minor scale on guitar

E harmonic minor uses E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4 fret 2 for a compact five-fret span.

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Practice E harmonic minor scale

How it is built

E1F♯2G♭3A4B5C♭6D♯7

Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7

How do you play the E harmonic minor scale on guitar?

E harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 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 low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	0, 2, 3	E, F♯, G
5 (A)	0, 2, 3	A, B, C
4 (D)	1, 2	D♯, E
3 (G)	0, 2	G, A
2 (B)	0, 1	B, C
1 (e)	0, 2, 3	E, F♯, G

Box 2 · frets 2–5

E harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	2, 3, 5	F♯, G, A
5 (A)	2, 3	B, C
4 (D)	2, 4, 5	E, F♯, G
3 (G)	2, 4, 5	A, B, C
2 (B)	4, 5	D♯, E
1 (e)	2, 3, 5	F♯, G, A

Box 3 · frets 5–8

E 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 C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	5, 7, 8	A, B, C
5 (A)	6, 7	D♯, E
4 (D)	5, 7	G, A
3 (G)	5, 8	C, D♯
2 (B)	5, 7, 8	E, F♯, G
1 (e)	5, 7, 8	A, B, C

Box 4 · frets 7–10

E harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	7, 8	B, C
5 (A)	7, 9, 10	E, F♯, G
4 (D)	7, 9, 10	A, B, C
3 (G)	8, 9	D♯, E
2 (B)	7, 8, 10	F♯, G, A
1 (e)	7, 8	B, C

Box 5 · frets 11–14

E harmonic minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12, the D string at fret 14 and the high e string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	11, 12, 14	D♯, E, F♯
5 (A)	12, 14	A, B
4 (D)	13, 14	D♯, E
3 (G)	11, 12, 14	F♯, G, A
2 (B)	12, 13	B, C
1 (e)	11, 12, 14	D♯, E, F♯

Why it sounds like that

E harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of E natural minor from D to D♯, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between C and D♯ gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with E natural minor to hear the raised seventh.

When to use it

Use E harmonic minor over E minor and E 5th chords. It also fits B 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 4 fret 2 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.

Common questions

What notes are in E harmonic minor?

E harmonic minor contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C, and D♯. The raised seventh is D♯. The scale has an augmented second between C and D♯.

Which chords does E harmonic minor fit?

E harmonic minor fits E minor and E 5th chords. It also works over B major as the dominant. The scale outlines an E minor tonality with a major V chord.

How does E harmonic minor differ from E natural minor?

E harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from D to D♯. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.