Harmonic scales

Copyright © 2011 GypsyJazzSchool.com All

Lesson 22- The Harmonic M

In this lesson, we’ll learn the harmonic minor and the mixo b9b13 scales. In order to fully

understand the theory of these scales, please learn lesson 18 first.

The harmonic minor scale is a minor scale with a raised 7

Figure 1: C minor scale:

Figure 2: C harmonic minor scale:

The harmonic minor scale is used

famous and useful scale hiding in this scale

harmonic minor scale.

Figure 3: C harmonic minor scale

Copyright © 2011 GypsyJazzSchool.com All rights reserved. Lesson 22

Harmonic Minor and the Mixo b9b13 scales

we’ll learn the harmonic minor and the mixo b9b13 scales. In order to fully

understand the theory of these scales, please learn lesson 18 first.

s a minor scale with a raised 7th

degree.

scale:

The harmonic minor scale is used for playing over a tonic minor chord. But there is another very

eful scale hiding in this scale - the scale that starts from the 5

C harmonic minor scale vs Gmixo b9b13 scale :

1 | P a g e

we’ll learn the harmonic minor and the mixo b9b13 scales. In order to fully

minor chord. But there is another very

starts from the 5th

degree of the


When we start the harmonic minor scale from its 5

below,” or in short: GH-5 . We can also call this scale

because it’s like the 5th

degree of the major scale

(b2 and b6).

Because of the unusual 1 ½ tone interval in this scale, there are a lot of fingerings you can play. I

chose to show you the most useable in my opinion. I want to encourage y

positions for yourself.

In the following diagrams, you’ll see

position. There are slight differences between the positions and fingerings according to the way

I play them. For each position

position.

About the fingering- when you see two numbers on the same

for ascending and the second one

Ex 1: C harmonic minor, root on the 5

Ex 2: Gmixob9b13, root on the 5


When we start the harmonic minor scale from its 5th

degree, we get the G

We can also call this scale “Mixolydian b9b13”

degree of the major scale - the Mixolydian mode, but with b9 and b13

the unusual 1 ½ tone interval in this scale, there are a lot of fingerings you can play. I

chose to show you the most useable in my opinion. I want to encourage y

you’ll see the harmonic minor and the mixob9b13 scales

. There are slight differences between the positions and fingerings according to the way

on, you’ll see the basic chord in maroon “hiding” in the scale

when you see two numbers on the same note, the first one (on the left) is

for ascending and the second one (on the right) is for descending.

minor, root on the 5th

string

, root on the 5th

string

2 | P a g e

G Harmonic Minor 5th

“Mixolydian b9b13” (mixob9b13),

the Mixolydian mode, but with b9 and b13

the unusual 1 ½ tone interval in this scale, there are a lot of fingerings you can play. I

chose to show you the most useable in my opinion. I want to encourage you to find more

b9b13 scales in each

. There are slight differences between the positions and fingerings according to the way

“hiding” in the scale

ote, the first one (on the left) is


Ex 3: C harmonic minor, root on the

Ex 4: Gmixob9b13, root on the



: C harmonic minor, root on the 6th

string

, root on the 4th

string


string

3 | P a g e






, root on the 5th

string


string

, root on the 5th

string

4 | P a g e




This mixob9b13 scale is very useful for playing over any Dom7 chord. It gives us the b9 and b13

sound over the dom7 chord. As

over the 3rd

degree which gives us the b9 sound too! So now I want to g

lick to play over a dom7 chord. In this lick

dim7 arpeggio- all over the fingerboard. Please learn the following lick and then transpose it to

all the keys. Note that the fingerings of

the positions I wrote before. The fingering in the next lick

of the fingerboard and play to



string

, root on the 5th

string


As you remember, we’ve talked a lot about playing a dim chord

degree which gives us the b9 sound too! So now I want to give you a very powerful

lick to play over a dom7 chord. In this lick, we use a descending mixob9b13 and an ascending

all over the fingerboard. Please learn the following lick and then transpose it to

Note that the fingerings of the mixob9b13 scale are not similar to the fingerings of

the positions I wrote before. The fingering in the next lick allows us to start from the beginning

to the end of it:

5 | P a g e


you remember, we’ve talked a lot about playing a dim chord

ive you a very powerful

we use a descending mixob9b13 and an ascending

all over the fingerboard. Please learn the following lick and then transpose it to

the mixob9b13 scale are not similar to the fingerings of

us to start from the beginning


And now, here are two examples from Django Reinhart's playing:

In Rhythm Futur, you can see how he merges the mixob9b13 scale and the 7 arpeggio to create

an interesting and new phrase.

In Les Yeux Noir, you can see how he uses the idea of playing a descending mixob9b13 scale

with an ascending dim7 arpeggio from the 3rd

degree of the 7 chord.

Ex 12: From Rhythm Futur


Ex 13: From Les Yeux Noir

Harmonic scales

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