Tuning-specific scale diagram

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning shows the same bb harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B E A D F# B. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A
Formula
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning
B E A D F# B
Strings
6
Open pitch range
B1 to B3
24-fret range
B1 to B5

Open strings and root positions

2 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Harmonic Minor Scale: string 4 A (7) and string 2 Gb (b6). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 4A7
String 2Gbb6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 6
String 4Fret 1
String 3Fret 8
String 2Fret 4
String 1Fret 11

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 11. On the highest B string, the first Bb is at fret 11.

Fret 1C2
Fret 2Dbb3
Fret 4Eb4
Fret 6F5
Fret 7Gbb6
Fret 10A7
Fret 11Bb1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Bb Harmonic Minor Scale on the low B string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets A on open string 4 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 6, 1, 8, 4, and 11, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
Bb Harmonic Minor Scale in B Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing B E A D F# B.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Bb Harmonic Minor Scale and b standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings