Tuning-specific scale diagram

B Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop B Tuning

B Harmonic Minor Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same b harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

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

Open strings and root positions

5 of the 6 open strings belong to B Harmonic Minor Scale: string 6 B (1), string 5 F# (5), string 4 B (1), string 3 E (4), and string 1 C# (2). B roots occur on open strings 6 and 4.

String 6B1

String 5F#5

String 4B1

String 3E4

String 1C#2

First root on each string

String 6Open

String 5Fret 5

String 4Open

String 3Fret 7

String 2Fret 3

String 1Fret 10

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, with the B root at fret 0. On the highest C# string, the first B is at fret 10.

OpenB1

Fret 2C#2

Fret 3Db3

Fret 5E4

Fret 7F#5

Fret 8Gb6

Fret 11A#7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play B Harmonic Minor Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets B on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest B root and two other scale tones.
Connect the B root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 0, 5, 0, 7, 3, and 10, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.