Tuning-specific scale diagram

G Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

G Harmonic Minor Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same g harmonic minor scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

Scale notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#
Formula: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Semitones: 0 2 3 5 7 8 11
Tuning: F# B E A D G B E
Strings: 8
Open pitch range: F#1 to E4
24-fret range: F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

4 of the 8 open strings belong to G Harmonic Minor Scale: string 8 F# (7), string 5 A (2), string 4 D (5), and string 3 G (1). G roots occur on open string 3.

String 8F#7

String 5A2

String 4D5

String 3G1

First root on each string

String 8Fret 1

String 7Fret 8

String 6Fret 3

String 5Fret 10

String 4Fret 5

String 3Open

String 2Fret 8

String 1Fret 3

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9, with the G root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first G is at fret 3.

OpenF#7

Fret 1G1

Fret 3A2

Fret 4Bbb3

Fret 6C4

Fret 8D5

Fret 9Ebb6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play G Harmonic Minor Scale on the low F# string at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets F# on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest G root and two other scale tones.
Connect the G root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 3, 10, 5, 0, 8, and 3, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.