After reading this post, and of coarse practicing, you will be able to write and play all of the minor guitar scales in three froms – natural, harmonic and melodic.

The minor guitar scale is based on the major guitar scale. The A minor scale for example, has the same key signature (contains the same notes) as the C major scale, whereas there are no sharps or flats. This means C Major and A Minor are considered relative scales. To construct any minor scale, simply start at the 6th note of any major scale. This is known as a natural minor guitar scale.

Natural Minor Scales

C Major Scale:

A Natural Minor Scale: (starting at the sixth note of C major)

The natural minor scale begins on the 6th note of its relative major scale and has no changes to the key signature. Another example:

Eb Major Scale:

C Natural Minor Scale: (starting at the 6th note of Eb major)

NOTE: When playing, remember to pay attention to the key signature of the major scale. Eb major scale for example, has 3 flats in it’s key signature – Eb, Ab, and Bb. These flats tranfer over to its relative minor – the C minor scale.

The pattern of whole and half steps for a natural minor guitar scale is therefore related to the pattern for a major guitar scale starting on the 6th – W, H, W, W, H, W, W.

Harmonic Minor Scales

Harmonic minor guitar scales are easy to create. Simply raise the 7th note by one half step.

C Harmonic Minor Scale:

Melodic Minor Scales

To build a melodic minor scale, raise the 6th and 7th note by a half step when ascending and when descending, return them to the original tones.

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A scale is simply all of the main pitches in a composition arranged in order from lowest to highest without repeating any of them. The scales which form the basis for most of the music we hear are the major and minor scales. The concept that one single note is the central tone for which all other notes in a major or minor scale flow is called tonality. Almost all music we hear today is considered ‘tonal’.

In particular, the major guitar scale is a series of eight tones arranged in a specific pattern of whole steps and half steps – W, W, H, W, W, W, H.

For example, the C major scale, in which C is the tonic note, can be found beginning on C. Then using the pattern of whole steps and half steps above, we move up the eight tones until we reach the next C pitch which is an octave above:

Here is how the above C major scale is played on the guitar, in open position:

So, a major scale can be constructed on any note. Simply use the whole and half step pattern. To build them correctly, use every letter of the musical alphabet (A through G) and don’t repeat any. Also, when placing the notes on a staff, use every line and space without repeating any. This is how to write major scales properly.

For example, the D major scale is written D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D — NOT D, E, Gb, G, A, B, Bb, D.

Grab your guitar and practice playing major guitar scales on any note. Be sure to practice writing-out the scales on staff paper as well. This will greatly improve your overall guitar knowledge and your ability to write your own music.

Click here to see how notes are labeled on a treble clef staff and the corresponding open position on the guitar.

Learn to play major guitar scales and much more, the fastest way possible! Click here to learn how.

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