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G harmonic minor scale on guitar
G harmonic minor uses G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6 fret 3 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the G harmonic minor scale on guitar?
G harmonic minor in box 1 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 low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e 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) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
G harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
G harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 11 | E♭, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
G 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 E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
G harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of G natural minor from F to F♯, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between E♭ and F♯ gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with G natural minor to hear the raised seventh.
When to use it
Use G harmonic minor over G minor and G 5th chords. It also fits D 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 3 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 3–6 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in G harmonic minor?
G harmonic minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, and F♯. The raised seventh is F♯. The scale has an augmented second between E♭ and F♯.
Which chords does G harmonic minor fit?
G harmonic minor fits G minor and G 5th chords. It also works over D major as the dominant. The scale outlines a G minor tonality with a major V chord.
How does G harmonic minor differ from G natural minor?
G harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from F to F♯. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.