E Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale

E Harmonic Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals

The E Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#. It has a distinctive exotic or Middle Eastern flavor due to the wide gap between its upper notes, and is used to provide the harmonic tension necessary for classical minor-key resolutions. It is a staple in neo-classical metal and flamenco. The diatonic chords of E Harmonic Minor are EmMaj7, F#m7b5, G+maj7, Am7, B7, Cmaj7, D#o7. Commonly used in Metal, Classical, Flamenco, Film Scores, Neoclassical. Notable players include Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Johann Sebastian Bach. Use over m(Maj7), m7, dim7 chords. Essential for creating V7 → i resolutions in minor keys. The raised 7th provides the leading tone that natural minor lacks.

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

Formula: W-H-W-W-H-WH-H

Number of notes: 7

Diatonic Chords

EmMaj7 — F♯m7♭5 — G+maj7 — Am7 — B7 — Cmaj7 — D♯o7

How to Play E Harmonic Minor on Guitar

Start the E Harmonic Minor scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.

The E Harmonic Minor scale contains 2 sharps (F#, D#). Its relative major is G major, which shares the same key signature.

Practice Routine

Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Harmonic Minor scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.

Try these progressions with the E Harmonic Minor scale: EmMaj7 - Am7 - B7 - EmMaj7 (I-IV-V-I) or EmMaj7 - F#m7b5 - Am7 - B7 for a more stepwise movement.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the E Harmonic Minor scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.

The E Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes (E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Harmonic Minor

The E Harmonic Minor scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.

Explore E Harmonic Minor Further

• Harmonize the E Harmonic Minor scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• E Harmonic Minor on Ukulele
• E Harmonic Minor on Bass
• E Harmonic Minor on Piano

Explore E Harmonic Minor in Other Tunings

• E Harmonic Minor in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Harmonic Minor in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• E Harmonic Minor in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• E Harmonic Minor in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• E Harmonic Minor in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• E Harmonic Minor in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• E Harmonic Minor in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• E Harmonic Minor in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• E Harmonic Minor in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• E Harmonic Minor in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• E Harmonic Minor in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• E Harmonic Minor in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• E Harmonic Minor in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Harmonic Minor in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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