Box 1
Position 1 (6th-string root)
Frets 4–7
When to use it: Root on the 6th string. Learn this one first — matching the root to a fret is all it takes to move the shape to any key.
Harmonic Minor
A♭ Harmonic Minor Scale
Minor with a raised 7th — the sound of classical cadences and metal neoclassicism.
- Notes
- A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F♭ G
- Formula
- 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7
- Sound
- tense, exotic
- Guitar positions
- 2
The patterns on guitar
2 fretboard positions in standard tuning, low string on the left. Every dot is a note of the scale and the number inside it is the scale degree, so you can see the shape and the theory at once.
root notescale notenumbers inside the dots are scale degrees
Box 2
Position 2 (5th-string root)
Frets 11–14
When to use it: Root on the 5th string. Use it when the tonic is easier to find on the A string, or when you want the scale to sit higher.
The notes
7 notes, built off Ab with the formula 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7. Raising the 7th of a natural minor gives you a real leading tone, so V becomes a major chord that pulls hard back to i. The gap it opens between the ♭6 and the 7 is the exotic step everyone hears.
Tap any note to hear it on its own.
Chords built from this scale
Stack every other note of the scale and you get its seven diatonic chords. These are the chords that sound at home over this scale — a progression made only of these will never leave the key.
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Seventh | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | A♭m | A♭ C♭ E♭ | A♭m(maj7) | tonic — everything resolves here |
| ii° | B♭dim | B♭ D♭ F♭ | B♭m7♭5 | supertonic — unstable; usually passes straight to the dominant |
| III+ | C♭aug | C♭ E♭ G | C♭maj7♯5 | mediant — the raised-7th chord; restless, rarely sat on |
| iv | D♭m | D♭ F♭ A♭ | D♭m7 | subdominant — the wistful, minor version of the lift away |
| V | E♭ | E♭ G B♭ | E♭7 | dominant — wants to resolve home |
| VI | F♭ | F♭ A♭ C♭ | F♭maj7 | submediant — the relative major's home |
| vii° | Gdim | G B♭ D♭ | Gdim7 | leading tone — a half step below home, maximum tension |
Common questions
What notes are in the Ab Harmonic Minor Scale?
The Ab harmonic minor scale has 7 notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, G. The interval formula is 1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–7, counted up from Ab.
What chords are in the Ab Harmonic Minor Scale?
The Ab harmonic minor scale builds seven diatonic chords: i Abm, ii° Bbdim, III+ Cbaug, iv Dbm, V Eb, VI Fb, vii° Gdim.
Where do I start on guitar?
Start with Position 1 (6th-string root) at fret 4. Root on the 6th string. Learn this one first — matching the root to a fret is all it takes to move the shape to any key.
Learn the theory behind it
The patterns above get your fingers moving. These explain what the notes are actually doing, so you can use the scale instead of just running it.