A Harmonic Minor Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
A Harmonic Minor in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The A Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Cavaquinho, the notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, G#. 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 A Harmonic Minor are AmMaj7, Bm7b5, C+maj7, Dm7, E7, Fmaj7, G#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: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#
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
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Diatonic Chords
AmMaj7 — Bm7♭5 — C+maj7 — Dm7 — E7 — Fmaj7 — G♯o7