Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ harmonic minor scale on ukulele
A♭ harmonic minor runs A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a four-string grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A♭ harmonic minor scale on ukulele?
A♭ harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 1 and the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4 | E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A♭ harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ harmonic minor is A♭ natural minor with G♭ raised to G. The raised seventh creates a leading tone and a three-semitone step from F♭ to G. Compare A♭ natural minor to hear the difference. The scale contains a tritone between B♭ and F♭.
When to use it
A♭ harmonic minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. Use it over minor progressions in A♭, especially when the V chord is E♭ major. The G adds a classical or neoclassical flavour to rock and metal lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 1, keeping the hand in frets 1–4 for quick access to the leading tone.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭ harmonic minor contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, and G. The G is the raised seventh degree, which distinguishes it from A♭ natural minor. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭ harmonic minor works over A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The G also supports E♭ major, the dominant chord in the key of A♭ minor.
What is the key signature of A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭ harmonic minor has seven flats in its key signature. The G is an accidental raised from the natural minor scale.