Guitar scale
F# Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale
F# harmonic minor is a seven-note minor scale built from F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, and E#. Its major seventh creates a strong pull back to the F# root.
- Notes
- F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E#
- 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 representF# root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to compare the F# roots with the E# leading tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
F# harmonic minor combines minor-scale color with a major seventh: b3 (A), b6 (D), and 7 (E#). The three-semitone gap from the flat sixth to the major seventh and the leading-tone pull into F# create its distinctive sound.
- Characteristic tones
- b3Ab6D7E#
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with F# Harmonic Minor loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use F# harmonic minor when minor-key harmony contains a major or dominant V chord that resolves to F# minor. The raised seventh supplies the third of that dominant chord.
- Use F# harmonic minor in minor keys where the V chord resolves strongly back to F# 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 F# Harmonic Minor from one F# root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Within b3 (A), b6 (D), and 7 (E#), isolate the move from the flat sixth to the major seventh, then resolve the major seventh up one fret to F#.
- Practice over a V7-to-F#m cadence and land on a chord tone of each chord rather than running the scale straight through.