Playing Harmonic Minor Scales

A harmonic minor scale consists of seven notes (1 2 m3 4 5 m6 M7) which are separated from each other by the following intervals: 1-1/2-1-1-1/2-1½-1/2 (Ex. in C: C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-B). If you transpose it into a different key, the tonic (1) will be your point of reference. A harmonic minor scale is nothing more than a natural minor scale with a major seventh. Because of its oriental or even Andalusian sound, this scale is an essential tool for soloing and improvising on minor chord progressions/changes in various contexts, such as jazz, gypsy jazz or heavy metal. This course provides: the five positions of the harmonic minor scale (diagrams and video), three technical exercises (first in triplets, then in quads, finally in thirds) with their corresponding recordings to get accustomed to them, and seven licks for putting them into practice by playing them along to backing tracks.