Minor tonic system
Minor tonic system
The scale keeps the minor tonic while strengthening dominant resolution.
Guitar Scales · ChordRevelation
Harmonic Minor Scale on Guitar — Formula, V7 & Minor ii–V–i
Harmonic Minor raises the seventh degree of Natural Minor. That leading tone creates a major or dominant V chord with a strong pull back to the minor tonic.
Interval formula / structure1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–7
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Harmony first
Where this scale fits.
ChordRevelation treats scale choice as a relationship between chord formula, function and target — not as a root-name lookup.
V7 in minor
V7 in minor
The raised 7 becomes the major 3rd of V7, creating functional dominant tension.
Minor ii–V–i
Minor ii–V–i
Harmonic-minor material helps explain the relationship between iiø, V7 and i.
Fretboard practice
Turn the formula into usable guitar vocabulary.
Keep chord tones visible, compare overlays and practice toward the next chord instead of running patterns without a harmonic destination.
Practice
Hear the augmented second
The ♭6 to 7 gap is a defining melodic sound; practice it deliberately rather than hiding it.
Practice
Connect V7 to i
Resolve the raised 7 into the tonic and track guide tones through the cadence.
Practice
Compare with Melodic Minor
Raise the 6 as well to move from harmonic minor to melodic minor.
FAQ
Quick answers.
The interval formula is the starting point; Play Over provides the real harmonic context.
What is the formula for harmonic minor?
1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–7
How should I practice harmonic minor on guitar?
Connect the interval formula to chord tones and real harmonic context, then compare positions on the fretboard instead of memorizing a single box.
Can I use harmonic minor over every chord with the same root?
No. Scale choice depends on chord quality, harmonic function, key context and the next target chord, not only the root name.
ChordRevelation Play Over
See the scale inside the actual chord.
Open the approach on the fretboard, compare chord tones with tensions, keep multiple overlays visible and use the next chord as the resolution target.