G Harmonic Minor Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
G Harmonic Minor Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Harmonic Minor scale is a variation of the minor scale that introduces a strong leading tone. On Ukulele, the notes are G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#. 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 G Harmonic Minor are GmMaj7, Am7b5, Bb+maj7, Cm7, D7, Ebmaj7, F#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: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#
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
GmMaj7 — Am7♭5 — B♭+maj7 — Cm7 — D7 — E♭maj7 — F♯o7
How to Play G Harmonic Minor on Ukulele
On ukulele, find G on the open strings or 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 G Harmonic Minor scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 2 flats), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative major is Bb major, which shares the same key signature.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the G Harmonic Minor scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (G-Bb, A-C) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the G Harmonic Minor scale: GmMaj7 - Cm7 - D7 - GmMaj7 (I-IV-V-I) or GmMaj7 - Am7b5 - Cm7 - D7 for a more stepwise movement.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the G 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 G Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes (G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Harmonic Minor
The G 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 G Harmonic Minor Further
- Harmonize the G Harmonic Minor scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Harmonic Minor on Guitar
- G Harmonic Minor on Bass
- G Harmonic Minor on Piano