E Harmonic Minor Scale on Guitar: Notes, Shapes and Positions

The E harmonic minor scale is E, F♯, G, A, B, C and D♯. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7, a natural minor with the seventh raised to D♯. Start with the root on the low E string at the open string or the 12th fret, then learn the five positions below, from the Dm shape at the 2nd fret up the neck.

Keys

E Harmonic Minor Scale: 5 Positions

4Cm shape
7Am shape
9Gm shape
12Em shape
2Dm shape

CAGED Chords — Em

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape
2D shape

Triads — Em

Root position

4C shape
7A shape
9G shape
12E shape

Notes and formula

Degree12♭345♭67
NoteEF♯GABCD♯

E minor has 1 sharp (F♯). The harmonic minor keeps that key signature and adds one accidental, the raised seventh, D♯, written into the music each time it appears.

The E harmonic minor scale across the whole neck

Every E harmonic minor scale note from the nut to the 15th fret: E (root) on the low E string, fret 0; F sharp on the low E string, fret 2; G on the low E string, fret 3; A on the low E string, fret 5; B on the low E string, fret 7; C on the low E string, fret 8; D sharp on the low E string, fret 11; E (root) on the low E string, fret 12; F sharp on the low E string, fret 14; G on the low E string, fret 15; A on the A string, fret 0; B on the A string, fret 2; C on the A string, fret 3; D sharp on the A string, fret 6; E (root) on the A string, fret 7; F sharp on the A string, fret 9; G on the A string, fret 10; A on the A string, fret 12; B on the A string, fret 14; C on the A string, fret 15; D sharp on the D string, fret 1; E (root) on the D string, fret 2; F sharp on the D string, fret 4; G on the D string, fret 5; A on the D string, fret 7; B on the D string, fret 9; C on the D string, fret 10; D sharp on the D string, fret 13; E (root) on the D string, fret 14; G on the G string, fret 0; A on the G string, fret 2; B on the G string, fret 4; C on the G string, fret 5; D sharp on the G string, fret 8; E (root) on the G string, fret 9; F sharp on the G string, fret 11; G on the G string, fret 12; A on the G string, fret 14; B on the B string, fret 0; C on the B string, fret 1; D sharp on the B string, fret 4; E (root) on the B string, fret 5; F sharp on the B string, fret 7; G on the B string, fret 8; A on the B string, fret 10; B on the B string, fret 12; C on the B string, fret 13; E (root) on the high e string, fret 0; F sharp on the high e string, fret 2; G on the high e string, fret 3; A on the high e string, fret 5; B on the high e string, fret 7; C on the high e string, fret 8; D sharp on the high e string, fret 11; E (root) on the high e string, fret 12; F sharp on the high e string, fret 14; G on the high e string, fret 15.

E Harmonic Minor scale, frets 0–15. Roots (E) in green.

The root, E, sits on the low E string open and at fret 12 and on the A string at fret 7. Those are the anchors every position is built around.

Five of the six open strings belong to E harmonic minor (E, A, G, B and high e), so they can ring against fretted notes; the other one will clash.

Position by position: Dm shape from the 2nd fret; Cm shape from the 4th fret; Am shape from the 7th fret; Gm shape from the 9th fret; Em shape from the 12th fret. The Em shape is shown at the 12th fret; it also works twelve frets lower, in open position.

Chords in E harmonic minor

The raised D♯ turns the fifth chord major: B (B, D♯ and F♯), or B7 with the A added, which pulls strongly back to Em.

The full set of chords is i Em, ii° F♯°, III+ G+, iv Am, V B, VI C and vii° D♯°.

Played from its fifth note, B, the same notes give B Phrygian dominant, the sound of a lot of flamenco and metal over a B chord.

To learn it, play the Dm shape from the 2nd fret slowly, saying each note name, then link it to the next position up. Land on E at the end of each run, and you'll hear the scale settle on its root.

E Harmonic Minor scale FAQs

Which notes make up the E harmonic minor scale?

E, F♯, G, A, B, C and D♯. The formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7, with the raised seventh, D♯.

What is the V chord in E harmonic minor?

B, a major chord (B, D♯ and F♯). The raised seventh, D♯, is its third.

Where do I play the E harmonic minor scale on guitar?

Start from the root on the low E string at the open string. The Dm shape from the 2nd fret is the lowest of the five positions, and the other four continue up the neck to the 12th fret and beyond.

Learn more

The harmonic minor scale on guitar explains how the scale is built and how to use it, and the guitar scale lessons set out what to learn next. The scale library has every scale in every key.