Harmonic

Part 10: Summary back to contents

Minor Scale
Summary
• Fingerings
• Harmonic Minor Scale-Tone Chords
• Harmony
• Modes
• Subsets
• Counterpoint
• Cadences

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 2 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

FINGERINGS
In-Position And Three-Note-Per-String Fingerings
Harmonic minor scale fingerings are numbered in reference to major sharp five scale fingerings in this
course. Harmonic minor is as mode on the sixth step of major sharp five scale.
major sharp five and harmonic minor modes
see All Scale-Tone Chords/Harmonic Minor Scale-Tone Chords

Harmonic minor is a mode on step six of major sharp five scale. If you know the modes of the major
scale, thinking in major sharp five is a matter of altering one note in each mode. Note the descending
number series of altered tones: major #5, Dorian #4, Phrygian natural 3 (raised from b3), Lydian #2,
Mixolydian #1, Aeolian natural 7 (raised from b7 to produce harmonic minor) and Locrian natural 6.
mode names 
major #5 Dorian #4 Phrygian Lydian #2 Mixolydian Aeolian nat.7 Locrian nat.6
dominant (nat. 3) #1
major #5 scale tones  I II III IV #V VI VII
I major #5 chords Ima9#5 IIm13#11 III7b9(/11)b13 IVma7/6(#11) #Vdim7 VIm9(ma7) VIIm7b5(/11)
or IIdim7 or bVIdim7 or VIIdim7
C ma#5 chords Cma9/6#5 Dm13#11 E7b9(/11)b13 Fma7/6(#11) Am9(ma7) Bm7b5(/11)
or Ddim7 or Fdim7 G#dim7 or VIIdim7

harmonic minor tones  bIII IV V bVI VII I II

VI har. min. chords bIIIma9#5 IVm13#11 V7b9(/11)b13 bVIma7/6(#11) VIIdim7 Im9(ma7) IIm7b5(/11)
or IVdim7 or bVIdim7 or IIdim7
A harmonic minor chords Cma9/6#5 Dm13#11 E7b9(/11)b13 Fma7/6(#11) Am9(ma7) Bm7b5(/11)
or Ddim7 or Fdim7 G#dim7 or VIIdim7

in-position fingerings
The fingerings are numbered according to the scale number of lowest major sharp five scale tone of the
parent major scale fingered with the index finger on the sixth string. The parent major scale for Cmajor
sharp five is C major. The parent major scale for A harmonic minor is also C major, since C major sharp
five and A harmonic minor have the same notes. The harmonic minor tone center is scale tone six of
major sharp five scale, so when the lowest pitch on the sixth string is the harmonic minor tone center (“A”
for A harmonic minor), it is fingering 6, since that note is the sixth step of C major sharp five.

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 3

three-note-per-string fingerings
Other fingerings called “three-note-per-string” fingerings use slightly different rules regarding playing in
position. The seven in-position fingerings are shown below. Scale tones are numbered. The scale-tone
numbers shown in parenthesis are options, where the same note can be fingered on the second string.
The in-position fingerings shown below lend themselves to playing chord and arpeggio structures
within the scale. Melody is largely an ornamentation of chord tones, so these fingerings work well to
improvise. Three-note-per-string fingerings are better suited to playing scale runs, since picking can
be the same for every string and the finger patterns are more repetitious and easier to recall.
Three-note-per-string major scale fingerings shown below combine in-position fingerings, and are
numbered accordingly. Fingering 1/2 combines in-position fingerings 1 and 2; fingering 2/3 combines
in-position fingerings 2 and 3; and so on.in-position fingerings, numbered by fingers.
wide-range fingerings
low 4 to high b3 low 7 to high b6
by formula by finger by formula by finger
4 1 7 1
7 1 1 4 1 1
5 1 4 2 1 1 7 1
b6 7 3 1 2 5 1 4 2 2 1 1
2 5 1 2 2 1 b3 b6 3 3
b3 b6 4 3 3 1 2 5 7 2 2 1
2 7 2 1 b3 b6 1 4 3 3 1 1
b3 5 1 3 2 1
b6 3 2 5 2 2
2 2 b3 b6 3 3
b3 3

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 4 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

in-position major sharp five scale fingerings by fingers

fingering 1 fingering 2 fingering 3 fingering 4 fingering 5 fingering 6 fingering 7
11 1 1 1111 (1) 1 1 11 1 1 (1)
1 11 1 1 11 11 111 1 1 1 11 222 11 11 1
2 2222 222 22 2 222 22 2 22 222 2 3 22 2
3 3 3 33 333 3 2 3 3 4 3334 4 333
444 44 44 44 4 44 344 4444 4 44 4 4 4444
4 4 4 4

in-position major sharp five scale fingerings by formula

fingering 1 fingering 2 fingering 3 fingering 4 fingering 5 fingering 6 fingering 7

14 1 (7) (3) (#5) 4 (#5) (1) 4 14 #5 7 #5 (#5)
7 3 #5 2 1462 3 62 73 736 #5 7 #5 62 136 73 62 7
2 1462 #5 4 #5 14 14 2 62 136 #5 4 14 1
#5 362 73 736 #5 7 #5 #5 4 7362 7 7 3 #5
362 73 4 #5 1 4 14 2 62 136 7362 7 14 1 2 1462
73 #5 #5 #5 #5

three-note-per-string major sharp five scale fingerings by fingers

fingering 7/1 fingering 1/2 fingering 2/3 fingering 3/4 fingering 4/5 fingering 5/6 fingering 6/7
11 11 14 1 11 1 11 1 11 (1)
22 1 11 1 2 1 11 111 1 1 11 1
221 2 2211 222 11 322 22 1 22 211 2 1
4 3322 3 3 2 22 43 2 3 2 1 3 2 3332 1
4 444 33 443 4 4 3 44 322 4444 3 44 2
44 4 44 4 44 4 3 4 443
4 4 4 44

three-note-per-string major sharp five scale fingerings by formula

fingering 7/1 fingering 1/2 fingering 2/3 fingering 3/4 fingering 4/5 fingering 5/6 fingering 6/7
73 62 14 2 14 3 62 4 14 (7)
14 1 73 #5 4 #5 1 4 736 #5 7 62 1
7 3 #5 2 1462 362 73 736 14 2 62 136 #5 4
2 1462 #5 4 #5 1 4 14 2 #5 7 #5 #5 4 7362 7
#5 362 73 736 #5 7 #5 62 136 7362 7 14 1
73 #5 1 4 2 36 #5 4 1 7 3 #5
#5 7 #5 62

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 5

full-fretboard major sharp five scale with fingerings by finger number

fingering 1 fingering 1/2

11 1
14
11
1 4 1 fingering 2 fingering 2/3
1 11 2 2211
2 2222 3 7 3 #5 1
1
1111 1 11
3 444 33
1
444 44 4 44 2 1 4 6 2 222 22
3 3 33
222 11
3 2 22
44
fingering 3 fingering 3/4 #5 443
4
(1)
1 11 11
1 11
2 1 11
3 6 2 7 3 4
fingering 4 fingering 4/5
2 222
333
322
43 2
4 #5 1 4 1 1 1
111 111
4
44 4
4
4 4 3
44
7 3 6 22 2 22 1
3 2 3 3 2 1
fingering 5 fingering 5/6 1 34 b7 2 44 344 44 322
11 4 4 3
1 1 1 1 1
11
#5 7 #5 4
22 222
3 4
22 211
3 2
62 b7
2 1 3 62 fingering 6 fingering 6/7

4444 4 1 1 (1)
4444 3
4 #5 34 11 222 11 1
2 3 2 1
4
7 23 64 b7
2 7 3334 4 3332 1
fingering 7 fingering 7/1 44 4 44 2
(1) 11 11 1 4 1 443
11 11 1 22 1 44
22 2 221 7 3 #5
333 4 3322
4 4444 4 2 1 4 6 2
4 44
#5
3 6 2 7 3
4 #5 1 4

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 6 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

full-fretboard major sharp five scale with fingerings by formula number

fingering 1 fingering 1/2
14 1 14 1 4 1 fingering 2 fingering 2/3
7 3 #5 73
2
#5
1462 2
#5
1462
7 3 #5 2
(7) (3)
1462
2
#5
14

362 73 362 73
362 73
#5 1 4 2 1 4 6 2 #5
362 73 4 #5 1 4
736
4 #5 1 4
fingering 3 fingering 3/4 #5 73
2
#5
(#5)
3 62 73
3 62
4 #5 1 4
3 6 2 7 3
fingering 4 fingering 4/5
4 #5 14 736
736 14 2
4 #5 1 4 4 (#5) (1) 4 4
14 2 #5 7 #5 736 736
#5 #5 36
7 3 6 14 2 14 2
#5 7 #5 #5 7 #5
fingering 5 fingering 5/6 1 34 b7 2 62 136 62 136
#5 #5 4
14 14
#5 7 #5 #5 7 #5 7 #5 7
62 136 62 136
#5 4 #5 4 62 b7
2 1 3 62 fingering 6 fingering 6/7

7362 7 7362 7 #5 7 #5 (7)

#5
1
#5 34 62 136 62 1
#5 4
#5 4
7 23 64 b7
2 7 7362 7 7362 7
14 1
fingering 7 fingering 7/1 14 1
(#5) 73 62 1 4 1 3
7 #5
62
73 62 7 14 1
14
7 3 #5
1 7 3 #5
2 1462
7 3 #5
2 1462 #5
#5 73 2 1 4 6 2
#5
3 6 2 7 3
4 #5 1 4

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 7

in-position harmonic minor scale fingerings, numbered by fingers

fingering 1 fingering 2 fingering 3 fingering 4 fingering 5 fingering 6 fingering 7
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 (1) 1 (1) 1 1 1 1 (1) (1)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 22 22 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 (1) 44 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 7 4

in-position harmonic minor scale fingerings, numbered by scale tones

fingering 1 fingering 2 fingering 3 fingering 4 fingering 5 fingering 6 fingering 7

b3 b6 b3 4 b3 b6 1 4 (7) b6 (7) (b6) b3 b6 7 2 (7) (7)
2 5 7 7 5 1 4 2 5 25 1 7 2 7 1 4 b3 5 1 2 5 1 4 2
4 b3 b6 1 4 5 1 4 2 5 b6 7 b3b6 b3b6 4 1 4 b3 5 1 7 b6 b3 b6 b3
7 b6 7 b3 b6 2 5 1 7 2 7 7 b6 2 5 1 4 2 2 5 7
5 1 4 2 5 2 5 (1) b3 b6 4 1 4 b3 5 1 2 5 1 4 2 b3 b6 b3 4 b3b6 1 4
7 7 7 b6 7 7

three-note-per-string harmonic minor scale fingerings, numbered by fingers

fingering 7/1 fingering 1/2 fingering 2/3 fingering 3/4 fingering 4/5 fingering 5/6 fingering 6/7
(1) 1 1 1 1 1 (1) 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 11 22 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
2 2 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 1
4 3 3 2 2 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 2 4 4 3 2 2 4 5 4 4 2 3 3 2
4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 3 3 4 4 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
v

three-note-per-string harmonic minor scale fingerings, numbered by scale tones

fingering 7/1 fingering 1/2 fingering 2/3 fingering 3/4 fingering 4/5 fingering 5/6 fingering 6/7
(7) b3 b6 4 b3 b6 (7) b6 b3 b6 7
2 5 1 4 2 5 7 7 5 1 4 25 1 7 2 1 4 b3
b3 b6 b3 4 b3 b6 1 4 5 1 4 2 5 b6 7 b3b6 b3b6 4 1 4 b3 5 1 7 b6
7 b6 7 b3 b6 7 b6 2 5 1 4 2
2 5 7 2 5 1 7 2 7 b3 b6 b3
4 b3b6 1 4 5 1 4 2 5 2 5 1 b3 b6 4 1 4 b3 5 1 2 5 1 4 2
2 5 7
7 b3 b6 4 7 2 7 7 b6 b3 1 4
2 5 7 5 1 2 7

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 8 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

full-fretboard harmonic minor scale with fingerings by finger number

1 4 b3 5 1
fingering 7 fingering 7/1
7 b6 (1) (1)
1 1 1 1
2 5 1 4 2 1 1 1 1
2 2
1
2 2 2
2 2 1
1
fingering 1 fingering 1/2 3 3 3
1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
b3 b6 b3 4
4
4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2
4
4 4
2 2 2 1 1
2
3
2 2 2 2
3 2 5 7
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 fingering 2 fingering 2/3
4 4
4 b3 b6 1 4 1
1
1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1
fingering 3 fingering 3/4
7 3
2 2
3 3 3 3
4 4 (1) 4 4 4 3 3
(1)
1 1 1 11
(1)
1 1 1 5 1 34 b7
b6 2 b6
5 fingering 4 fingering 4/5
4 4

2 2 22 2 1 11
3 3 3
44 4
2 2 2
3 3 2 b6 7 b3
1 b6 1 (1)
11 1
1
11 1
4 4 4 4 3 22 1 22 1
4 4 b7 5 1
2 b6 3 3 2
4 4 4 3 3
3 2 1
fingering 5 fingering 5/6 4 4 3 2 2
4 4

1
1 1
1 1 1
1 1
1
1 b6 34
b3 4 3
4

7 2 7
fingering 6 fingering 6/7
2 2 2 2 2
3 3
2 2 2 1 1
3 2 b7 1 1 (1) 14
4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 2 11
3
4
1 4 b3 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2
3
2211

fingering 7 fingering 7/1

3 3 3 3 3 444 33
(1) (1)
7 b6 4 4 4
7
4 44

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2
3 3 3
2 2 2
2 2 1
1 2 5 1 4 2
4 4 4 4 4
4
4 3 3 2 2
4 b3 b6 b3
4 4
2 5 7
4 b3 b6 1 4
©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.
back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 9

full-fretboard harmonic minor scale with fingerings by formula number

1 4 b3 5 1
fingering 7 fingering 7/1
7 b6 (7) (7)
2 5 1 4 2 2 5 1 4
2 5 1 4 2 b3 b6 b3 b3 b6 b3
fingering 1 fingering 1/2 2 5 7 2 5 7
b3 b6
2 5 7
b3 b3 b6
2 5 7
b3 b6 b3 4
7
b3b6 1 4 4
7
b3b6 1 4

4 b3 b6 1 4
4
7
b3 b6 1 4
7 2 5 7 fingering 2 fingering 2/3
2 5
5 1 4 2 5
5 1 4 2 5 b3 b6
4 b3 b6 1 4 4
7
b3 b6 1 4 4
7
b3 b6

5 1 4 2 5 5 1 4 2 5
fingering 3 fingering 3/4

(1)
7 b6 7 b3 b6 b6 7 b3 b6
(7) 2 5 (1) 2 5 1
1 1 1
5 1 4
b6
2 5
7 b3b6 2 1 11 5 1 34 b7
b6 2 b6
5 4
7
2 2 2
2 5 1
b3 b6 4 4
3 3 2
4 3 b6 7 b3
1 b6 fingering 4 fingering 4/5

7 7 4 4 1 (1) 1

fingering 5 fingering 5/6

b7 5 1
2 b6 11 1
22 1
11 1
22 1
3 3 2 3 2 1
7
b3 b6
2 7 7
b3 b6
2
1 b6 34
b3 4 4 4 3 3
4 4
4 4 3 2 2
4 3
1 4 b3 5 1 1 4 b3 5 1
7 b6 7 b6 7 2
b7 7 fingering 6
4
fingering 6/7
2 5 1 4 2 2 5 1 4 2
b3 1 4 b3 1 5 1 7 2 (7) 7
1 4 b3
7 1 4 b3 5 1
7 b6
fingering 7 fingering 7/1 7 b6 7 b6
2 5 1 4 2
2 5 1 4 2
(7) b3 b6 b3
(7) b3 b6 b3
2 5 1 4 2 2 5 1 4 2 5 1 4 2 7
2 5 7
1 4
b3 b6 b3 b3 b6 b3

4
2 5 7
b3b6 1 4 4
2 5 7
b3b6 1 4
b3 b6 b3
7 7
2 5 2 5 7
4 b3 b6 1 4
1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.
page 10 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

HARMONIC MINOR SCALE-TONE CHORDS

The types are shown in the far left column.

scale tone: I II bIII IV V bVI VII

mode Aeolian 7 Locrian 6 major #5 Dorian #4 Phrygian 3 Lydian #2 Mixo. #1
harmonic minor Phry. dominant
formula b3-b6 b2-b3-b5-b7 #5 b3-#4-b7 b2-b6-b7 #2-#4 b2-b3-b4-b5-b6-bb7

Locrian nat. 6......... bVII................ I........................bII.................. bIII................... IV.................... bV.................. VI

major #5................. VI.................... VII...................I...................... II...................... III.................... IV................... #V
Dorian #4............... V ..................... VI.....................bVII.............. I........................ II...................... bIII................. #IV
Phrygian nat. 3...... IV ................... V......................bVII.............. bVII ................ I ...................... bII................... III
Lydian b2............... III.................... #IV..................V.................... VI..................... VII.................. I...................... bII
Mixolydian #1....... bII.................... bIII...................bIV................ bV.................... bVI.................. bbVII (=6).... I
thirds...................... minor.............. minor...............major............. minor............... major............... major.............. minor
sixths...................... major............... major...............minor............. major................ minor............... minor............. major
triad........................ minor.............. diminished......augmented.... minor............... maj. or aug...... maj. or dim.... dim. or aug.
seventh................... min(ma7)....... m7b5 or dim7...ma7#5........... m7 or dim7..... 7 or 7#5.......... maj7 or dim7.. dim7
ninth....................... min9(ma7)...............................ma9#5........... m9 or dim7/9..... 9, 9#5.............. m9b5..............
sixth.................................................................................................. m6............................................. 6......................
add 9....................... m add9............................................................. m add 9.............................................................
6/9.................................................................................................... m6/9.................................................................
7/11................................................. m7/11b5.......................................................... 7/11................ ma7#11..........
sus.4........................ sus.4........................................................................................... sus.4........................................
sus.2........................ sus.2................................................................. sus.2..................................................................
7 sus.4..................... ma7sus4..................................................................................... 7sus4.......................................
7 sus.2..................... ma7sus.2.......................................................... 7sus2................ 7sus4.......................................
9 no 3...................... ma9no3...................................................................................... 9no3........................................

major third
1 minor third minor third
1 major third

b6 b3 6 3
minor third
harmonic major third major third
major major third

minor sharp five

4 in thirds 5 4 in thirds
#5
minor third major third minor third minor third

2 minor third 7 2 minor third 7

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.
back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 11

Numbered Harmonic Minor Scale Tones In Triads,

Seventh and Ninth Chords
scale-tone: I II bIII IV V bVI VII
triad........................... I minor...............II diminished.... bIII augmented.. IV minor...........V major..............bVI major......... VII dimin.
parent major #5 tones... 6-1-3..................7-2-4.................. 1-3-#5................ 2-4-6..................3-#5-7................4-6-1.................. #5-7-2
chord scale tones...... 1-b3-5................1-b3-b5............. 1-3-#5................ 1-b3-5................1-3-5...................1-3-5.................. 1-b3-b5
seventh chord.......... Im(ma7)............IIm7.................. IIIm7................. IVma7................V7.......................bVIma7............. VIIdim.7
parent major #5 tones... 6-1-3-5...............7-2-4-6.............. 1-3-#5-7............ 2-4-6-1...............3-#5-7-2.............4-6-1-3.............. #5-7-2-4
chord scale tones...... 1-b3-5-7............1-b3-b5-b7....... 1-3-#5-7............ 1-3-5-7...............1-3-5-b7.............1-b3-5-b7.......... 1-b3-b5-b7
ninth chord.............. Im9(ma7)..........no chord............ bIIIma9#5......... IVm9.................V7b9..................no chord............ no chord
parent major #5 tones... 6-1-3-#5-7.................................... 1-3-#5-7-2........ 2-4-6-1-3...........3-#5-7-2.............
chord scale tones...... 1-b3-5-7-2.................................... 1-3-#5-7-2........ 1-b3-5-7-2.........1-3-5-b7-b2

Interval Cycles of Harmonic Minor and its Parent: Major Sharp Five
half step 1 whole step major third
1 minor third augmented fourth
7 diminished fourth

7 2 b6 b3 4 b3
minor third harmonic half step minor third harmonic major third perfect fourth
harmonic perfect fourth

minor minor minor

b6 stepwise b3 4 in thirds 5 1 in fourths b6
half step whole step minor third major third perfect fourth augmented fourth

5 whole step 4 2 minor third 7 5 perfect fourth 2

half step 6 whole step major third
6 minor third augmented fourth
#5 diminished fourth

#5 7 4 1 2 1
major #5 major #5 major
minor third half step minor third major third perfect fourth perfect fourth

4 stepwise
1 2 in thirds
3 6 in fourths
4
half step whole step minor third major third perfect fourth augmented fourth

3 whole step 2 7 minor third #5 3 perfect fourth 7

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 12 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

Harmonic Minor Scale Tone Chord Fingerings

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, stepwise root order, sixth-string roots
The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. Each of these has the same notes as its counterpart below built in
thirds, but the chord tones are in a different order.
Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
Am V Bdim VI Caug. VIII Dm X E XII F I G#dim. III

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, stepwise root order, fifth-string roots

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. Each of these has the same notes as its counterpart below built in
thirds, but the chord tones are in a different order.
Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
Am XII Bdim XIV or II Caug. III Dm V E VII F VIII G#dim. XI

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 13

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, roots ascending in fourths

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad.

Im chord root on the sixth string

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. VIII F VIII Bdim VI E VII Am V Dm V

Im chord root on the fifth string

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. I F I Bdim II E I Am I Dm I

Im chord root on the fourth string

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. VIII F VIII Bdim IX E VII Am VII Dm VII

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 14 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, close-voiced, stepwise roots

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad.
close-voiced, root position, root in the bass
Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth
Am V Bdim VI Caug. IX Dm X E XII F I G#dim. III

close-voiced, first inversion, third in the bass

Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root
Am IX Bdim X Caug. XIII or I Dm II E IV F V G#dim. VII

close-voiced, second inversion, fifth in the bass

Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third
Am I or XIII Bdim III Caug. V Dm VI E IX F X G#dim. XII

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 15

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, open-voiced, stepwise roots

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad.
open-voiced, root position, root in the bass
Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth root-third-fifth
Am XII Bdim XIV or II Caug. III Dm V E VII F VIII G#dim. XI
1
3 4

1 b5 3

open-voiced, first inversion, third in the bass

Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root third-fifth-root
Am II Bdim IV Caug. V Dm VII E IX F X G#dim. XIII or I

open-voiced, second inversion, fifth in the bass

Im II dim. bIII aug. IVm V bVI VII dim.
6-1-3 7-2-4 1-3-#5 2-4-6 3-#5-7 4-6-1 #5-7-2
fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third fifth-root-third
Am V Bdim VII Caug. VIII Dm X E XII F XIII or I G#dim. IV

1
2

4
#5 3 1

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 16 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, close-voiced, roots ascending in fourths (b3-b6-2-5-1-4)

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. In voice leading, the third and fifth of each chord ascend a scale
tone.
close-voiced, Im chord’s root in the bass
bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. VIII F VIII Bdim X E XII Am XII Dm XIII

close-voiced, Im chord’s third in the bass

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. XII F XIII or I Bdim I E IV Am V Dm V

close-voiced, Im chord’s fifth in the bass

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. IV F V Bdim VI E VII Am VIII Dm X

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 17

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, open-voiced, roots ascending in fourths (b3-b6-2-5-1-4)

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. In voice leading, the third and fifth of each chord ascend a scale
tone.
open-voiced, Im chord’s root in the bass
bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. I F I Bdim I E I Am I Dm I

open-voiced, Im chord’s third in the bass

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. IV F V Bdim VII E V Am V Dm V

open-voiced, Im chord’s fifth in the bass

bIII aug. bVI II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5 4-6-1 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Caug. V F VI Bdim IV E IV Am V Dm V

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 18 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

A harmonic minor scale-tone triads, close-voiced, roots ascending in thirds

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-b3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. In voice leading, the root of each chord descends one scale tone.
Each row continues voice-leading on the next row and cycles back to the first row at the end of the third
row (but starts over up an octave)
close-voiced, Im chord’s fifth in the bass
Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
fifth-root-third third-fifth-root root-third-fifth fifth-root-third third-fifth-root root-third-fifth fifth-root-third
Am XIII Caug. XIII E XII G#dim XII Bdim X Dm X F X

close-voiced, Im chord’s third in the bass

Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
third-fifth-root root-third-fifth fifth-root-third third-fifth-root root-third-fifth fifth-root-third third-fifth-root
Am IX Caug. IX E IX G#dim VII Bdim VI Dm VI F V

close-voiced, I chord’s root in the bass

Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
root-third-fifth fifth-root-third third-fifth-root root-third-fifth fifth-root-third third-fifth-root root-third-fifth
Am V Caug. V E IV G#dim III Bdim III Dm II F I

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 19

A harmonic minor scale-tone triad, open-voiced, roots ascending in thirds

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-b3 and 7-2-4) are the parent major sharp five scale tone
numbers used to construct the triad. In voice leading, the root of each chord descends one scale tone.
Each row continues voice-leading on the next row and cycles back to the first row at the end of the third
row (but starts over up an octave).
open-voiced, Im chord’s third in the bass
Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
third-root-fifth root-fifth-third fifth-third-root third-root-fifth root-fifth-third fifth-third-root third-fifth-root
Am XII Caug. XII E XII G#dim XIII Bdim XIV Dm XII F XII
1
3 4

1 b5 3

open-voiced, Im chord’s root in the bass

Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
root-fifth-third fifth-third-root third-root-fifth root-fifth-third fifth-third-root third-root-fifth root-fifth-third
Am XII Caug. XI E XI G#dim XI Bdim XII Dm XII F X

open-voiced, Im chord’s fifth in the bass

Im bIIIaug. V VIIdim. IIdim. IVm bVI
1-b3-5 b3-5-7 5-7-2 7-2-4 2-4-b6 4-b6-1 b6-1-3
fifth-third-root third-root-fifth root-fifth-third fifth-third-root third-root-fifth root-fifth-third fifth-third-root
Am X Caug. IX E IX G#dim IX Bdim IX Dm VII F VII

1
2

4
3 1 #5

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 20 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

A harmonic minor scale-tone seventh chords, stepwise, built in thirds

The second row of numbers below (such as 6-1-3-#5 and 2-4-6-1) are the major scale tone numbers
used to construct the seventh chord.
Im(ma7) IIm7b5 bIIIma7#5 IVm7 V7 bVIm7 VII dim.
6-1-3-#5 7-2-4-6 1-3-#5-7 2-4-6-1 3-#5-7-1 4-6-1-2 #5-7-2-4
Am(m7) IV Bm7b5 V Cma7#5 VII Dm7 VIII E7 X Fma7 XII G#dim7 I

A harmonic minor scale scale-tone seventh chords, roots moving in perfect fourths
bIIIma7#5 bVIma7 II dim. V Im IVm
1-3-#5-7 4-6-1-3 7-2-4 3-#5-7 6-1-3 2-4-6
Cma7#5. VIII Fma7 VIII Bm7b5 VI E7 V Am(m7) V Dm7 V

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

back to contents Part 10: Summary Harmonic Minor Scale Summary page 21

HARMONY
Thirds and Sixths

Quartal and Quintal Harmony

Three-Part Harmony

Four-Part Harmony

MODES

SUBSETS

1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.

page 22 Harmonic Minor Scale Summary Part 10: Summary back to contents

COUNTERPOINT
Parallel Motion

Similar Motion

Oblique Motion

Contrary Motion (contrapuntal)

CADENCES

©1998-2024 Jim Gleason. All Rights Reserved.