D# Harmonic Minor Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
D# Harmonic Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Ukulele, the notes are D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, 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 D# Harmonic Minor are D#mMaj7, Fm7b5, F#+maj7, G#m7, A#7, Bmaj7, Do7. 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: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, 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
D♯mMaj7 — Fm7♭5 — F♯+maj7 — G♯m7 — A♯7 — Bmaj7 — Do7
How to Play D# Harmonic Minor on Ukulele
On ukulele, find D# on the fret 2 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The D# Harmonic Minor scale contains 4 sharps (D#, F#, G#, A#). Its relative major is F# major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the D# Harmonic Minor scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (D#-F#, F-G#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the D# Harmonic Minor scale: D#mMaj7 - G#m7 - A#7 - D#mMaj7 (I-IV-V-I) or D#mMaj7 - Fm7b5 - G#m7 - A#7 for a more stepwise movement.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the D# Harmonic Minor scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The D# Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes (D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Harmonic Minor
The D# 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 D# Harmonic Minor Further
- Harmonize the D# Harmonic Minor scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Harmonic Minor on Guitar
- D# Harmonic Minor on Bass
- D# Harmonic Minor on Piano