How to Play a Natural Harmonic Minor Scale on Guitar

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: 1 Know the string numbers on your guitar.

   The thinnest string on your guitar (the high E) is string #1.
   
   The thickest string (the low E) is the 6th string on your guitar.
   
   This is important to know as tablature often refers to positions on the guitar relative to string numbers.
2. 2

   Step 2: Know the notes of a guitar well before attempting to incorporate this scale into your playing.

   The strings correspond to names of notes and are as follows; The first string is E, the 2nd is B, 3rd is G, 4th is D, 5th is A, and the 6th is E again. , This scale shares the same notes as it's relative major counterpart, so for example, C major and A natural minor share the same notes. , Here is the scale in several positions on the fretboard; Here's a C minor scale with the root note on 6th string 8th fret E||------------------------------6-8-|| B||------------------------6-8-9-----|| G||------------------5-7-8-----------|| D||------------5-6-8-----------------|| A||------5-6-8-----------------------|| E||--6-8-----------------------------|| C minor scale with the root note on 6th string 8th fret E||-------------------------------------8-10-11-|| B||------------------------------8-9-11---------|| G||-----------------------7-8-10----------------|| D||------------------8-10-----------------------|| A||----------8-10-11----------------------------|| E||--8-10-11------------------------------------|| C minor scale with the root note on 4th string, 10th fret E||--------------------------------------------10-11-13-|| B||--------------------------------------11-13----------|| G||-----------------------------10-12-13----------------|| D||--------------------10-12-13-------------------------|| A||-----------10-11-13----------------------------------|| E||--10-11-13-------------------------------------------|| C minor scale with the root note on 5th string 15th fret E||--------------------------------------------11-13-15-|| B||--------------------------------------13-15----------|| G||-----------------------------12-13-15----------------|| D||--------------------12-13-15-------------------------|| A||-----------11-13-15----------------------------------|| E||--11-13-15-------------------------------------------|| C minor scale with the root note on 5th string 3rd fret E||------------------------------3-4-6-|| B||------------------------3-4-6-------|| G||--------------------3-5-------------|| D||--------------3-5-6-----------------|| A||--------3-5-6-----------------------|| E||--3-4-6-----------------------------||
3. 3

   Step 3: Minor scales come in three main varieties

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   Step 4: the natural minor

5. 5

   Step 5: melodic minor and harmonic minor.

6. 6

   Step 6: Notice these two scales share the same patterns it's important to think of them separately

7. 7

   Step 7: so take note of the root notes.

Detailed Guide

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