While one could conceivably go about their entire guitar existence without knowledge of anything other than the Pentatonic and Diatonic Scales, it is an entirely worthwhile endeavor to expand and examine certain scales that come about through simple modifications of the Major Scale (Ionian) and Minor Scale (Aeolian). In this lesson we will look at the Harmonic Minor scale and its modes. You will find that these modes sound radically different from the Major scale modes. With the Harmonic Minor modes, you can achieve a wide variety of sounds, from a Middle Eastern sound to a Spanish Gypsy (check out the 5th mode...) sound. People often associate Harmonic Minor with the so-called Neoclassical players like Yngwie Malmsteen, but the scale goes much deeper than that, as I think you will soon find out.

When you practice these, keep in mind that the Diatonic Scale exercises apply here as well (3 octave scales, sequences and patterns).

Also, since I am using G Harmonic Minor for these exercises, you should expect that these modes will be similar to all the modes in Bb Major (because G Minor is the Minor mode of Bb Major). The table below shows which Harmonic modes are similar to which Major modes. (Note: They are similar - not the same!)

Let's start with the first mode of the Harmonic Minor scale - the Harmonic Minor! This scale is very similar to the Minor mode (i.e. Aeolian) that you learned in the Diatonic Scales and Modes lesson. The only difference is that the 7th note is raised. That should tell you that for the most part, you can use the scales interchangeably. Doing so, will really help you develop a sound all your own. Also, this scale is often used over a Min7b5 Chord and Dom7b9 and is used in general used over II V I progressions in Minor.

The important thing to note here is how similar the scale looks to the Minor scale. But it sounds much different!

Practice this like any other scale exercise. Apply scale sequences and patterns, mix things up with picking and legato, etc. And to really make things interesting, try ascending with the Harmonic Minor, and descending with the Minor.