Guitar scale
C Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
C Harmonic Minor is a seven-note scale built from C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, and B. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B
- 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 representC root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the C root notes and connect the remaining harmonic minor tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
C harmonic minor combines minor-scale color with a major seventh: b3 (Eb), b6 (Ab), and 7 (B). The three-semitone gap from the flat sixth to the major seventh and the leading-tone pull into C create its distinctive sound.
- Characteristic tones
- b3Ebb6Ab7B
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with C Harmonic Minor loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use C harmonic minor when minor-key harmony contains a major or dominant V chord that resolves to C minor. The raised seventh supplies the third of that dominant chord.
- Use C harmonic minor in minor keys where the V chord resolves strongly back to C 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 C Harmonic Minor from one C root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Within b3 (Eb), b6 (Ab), and 7 (B), isolate the move from the flat sixth to the major seventh, then resolve the major seventh up one fret to C.
- Practice over a V7-to-Cm cadence and land on a chord tone of each chord rather than running the scale straight through.