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F harmonic minor scale on guitar
F harmonic minor uses F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E. Box 1 places the root on string 6 fret 1 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F harmonic minor scale on guitar?
F harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 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 D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of F natural minor from E♭ to E, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between D♭ and E gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with F natural minor to hear the raised seventh.
When to use it
Use F harmonic minor over F minor and F 5th chords. It also fits C 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 6 fret 1 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 1–4 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F harmonic minor?
F harmonic minor contains F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, and E. The raised seventh is E. The scale has an augmented second between D♭ and E.
Which chords does F harmonic minor fit?
F harmonic minor fits F minor and F 5th chords. It also works over C major as the dominant. The scale outlines an F minor tonality with a major V chord.
How does F harmonic minor differ from F natural minor?
F harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from E♭ to E. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.