Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Harmonic Minor Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning

A Harmonic Minor Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning shows the same a harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned A E A D G B E. The seventh string extends the pattern below a six-string layout while keeping the upper strings familiar.

Scale notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: A E A D G B E
Strings: 7
Open pitch range: A1 to E4
24-fret range: A1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 7 open strings belong to A Harmonic Minor Scale: string 7 A (1), string 6 E (5), string 5 A (1), string 4 D (4), string 2 B (2), and string 1 E (5). A roots occur on open strings 7 and 5.

String 7A1

String 6E5

String 5A1

String 4D4

String 2B2

String 1E5

First root on each string

String 7Open

String 6Fret 5

String 5Open

String 4Fret 7

String 3Fret 2

String 2Fret 10

String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest A string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, with the A root at fret 0. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

OpenA1

Fret 2B2

Fret 3Cb3

Fret 5D4

Fret 7E5

Fret 8Fb6

Fret 11G#7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play A Harmonic Minor Scale on the low A string at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets A on open string 7 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
Connect the A root positions on strings 7 through 1 at frets 0, 5, 0, 7, 2, 10, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.