E Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
E Harmonic Minor in Open A — 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
Tuning: Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
Diatonic Chords
EmMaj7 — F♯m7♭5 — G+maj7 — Am7 — B7 — Cmaj7 — D♯o7
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- E Harmonic Minor in Standard Tuning
- E Harmonic Minor in Drop D
- E Harmonic Minor in DADGAD
- E Harmonic Minor in Open G
- E Harmonic Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- E Harmonic Minor in 7-string
- E Harmonic Minor in 8-string
- E Harmonic Minor in Drop C
- E Harmonic Minor in Drop B
- E Harmonic Minor in Open D
- E Harmonic Minor in Half Step Down
- E Harmonic Minor in Open E
- E Harmonic Minor in Double Drop D
- E Harmonic Minor in Open C