Guitar scale
Eb Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
Eb Harmonic Minor is a seven-note scale built from Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, and D. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, D
- 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 representEb root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Eb root notes and connect the remaining harmonic minor tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
Eb harmonic minor combines minor-scale color with a major seventh: b3 (Gb), b6 (Cb), and 7 (D). The three-semitone gap from the flat sixth to the major seventh and the leading-tone pull into Eb create its distinctive sound.
- Characteristic tones
- b3Gbb6Cb7D
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with Eb Harmonic Minor loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use Eb harmonic minor when minor-key harmony contains a major or dominant V chord that resolves to Eb minor. The raised seventh supplies the third of that dominant chord.
- Use Eb harmonic minor in minor keys where the V chord resolves strongly back to Eb 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 Eb Harmonic Minor from one Eb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Within b3 (Gb), b6 (Cb), and 7 (D), isolate the move from the flat sixth to the major seventh, then resolve the major seventh up one fret to Eb.
- Practice over a V7-to-Ebm cadence and land on a chord tone of each chord rather than running the scale straight through.