Guitar scale
Bb Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
Bb Harmonic Minor is a seven-note scale built from Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, and A. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A
- Formula
- 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representBb root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining harmonic minor tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
Bb harmonic minor combines minor-scale color with a major seventh: b3 (Db), b6 (Gb), and 7 (A). The three-semitone gap from the flat sixth to the major seventh and the leading-tone pull into Bb create its distinctive sound.
- Characteristic tones
- b3Dbb6Gb7A
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with Bb Harmonic Minor loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use Bb harmonic minor when minor-key harmony contains a major or dominant V chord that resolves to Bb minor. The raised seventh supplies the third of that dominant chord.
- Use Bb harmonic minor in minor keys where the V chord resolves strongly back to Bb minor.
- The major 7 creates a strong leading tone and gives the scale its classical and neoclassical minor sound.
Practice this scale on guitar
- Play Bb Harmonic Minor from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Within b3 (Db), b6 (Gb), and 7 (A), isolate the move from the flat sixth to the major seventh, then resolve the major seventh up one fret to Bb.
- Practice over a V7-to-Bbm cadence and land on a chord tone of each chord rather than running the scale straight through.