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