Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ harmonic minor scale on ukulele
B♭ harmonic minor runs B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 for a four-string grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the B♭ harmonic minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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 G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ harmonic minor is B♭ natural minor with A♭ raised to A. The raised seventh creates a leading tone and a three-semitone step from G♭ to A. Compare B♭ natural minor to hear the difference. The scale contains a tritone between C and G♭.
When to use it
B♭ harmonic minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. Use it over minor progressions in B♭, especially when the V chord is F major. The A 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 3, keeping the hand in frets 0–3 for quick access to the leading tone.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ harmonic minor contains B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, and A. The A is the raised seventh degree, which distinguishes it from B♭ natural minor. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ harmonic minor works over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The A also supports F major, the dominant chord in the key of B♭ minor.
What is the key signature of B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ harmonic minor has five flats in its key signature. The A is an accidental raised from the natural minor scale.