A# Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Half Step Down tuning — fretboard diagram
A# Harmonic Minor in Half Step Down — Notes and Intervals
The A# Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Guitar, the notes are A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A. 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 A#mMaj7, Cm7b5, C#+maj7, D#m7, F7, F#maj7, Ao7. 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#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A
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: Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
Diatonic Chords
A♯mMaj7 — Cm7♭5 — C♯+maj7 — D♯m7 — F7 — F♯maj7 — Ao7
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A# Harmonic Minor in Standard Tuning
- A# Harmonic Minor in Drop D
- A# Harmonic Minor in DADGAD
- A# Harmonic Minor in Open G
- A# Harmonic Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- A# Harmonic Minor in 7-string
- A# Harmonic Minor in 8-string
- A# Harmonic Minor in Drop C
- A# Harmonic Minor in Drop B
- A# Harmonic Minor in Open D
- A# Harmonic Minor in Open E
- A# Harmonic Minor in Open A
- A# Harmonic Minor in Double Drop D
- A# Harmonic Minor in Open C