Just as the major scale is the basic “alphabet” used to construct chords and melodies for music in major keys, the harmonic minor scale is the “alphabet” used to build the harmonies of musical compositions in minor keys, which is how the scale gets its name.

Because there exist so many alternate scales and harmonies to express minor key sounds, the harmonic minor scale often gets glossed over quickly by aspiring jazz musicians. While the harmonic minor scale doesn’t correspond quite so simply with minor keys the way the major scale does with major keys, familiarity with harmonic minor is an important step in mastering comping and improvising in minor keys.

Additionally, the harmonic minor scale contains several “hidden” sounds that can provide fresh, new, and exciting possibilities for both comping and soloing.

Part one of Harmonic Minor Complete breaks down the theory and reveals how, why, when, and where to use the scale in its basic form. It also explores the use of the harmonic minor scale to create more esoteric textures and provides a clear explanation of the modes and various techniques to make learning and utilizing them easier.

Part two continues the exploration of ways to gain mastery over melodic and harmonic material for harmonic minor on guitar. This class also offers imaginative and exciting ideas for generating new musical sounds with the scale, both for comping/chordal playing and single-note soloing.

Harmonic Minor Scale part 2 covers:

• Diatonic seventh chords, drop 2 and drop 3 voicings, all string sets and inversions
• Voice leading drop 2 and drop 3 voicings through other diatonic cycles
• Voice leading other voicings such as drop 2&3 and drop 2&4 and adding passing tones for contrapuntal variety
• Using basic seventh chords as substitutions for more colorful harmonies, with examples
• Exploration of the five different chord families from Mick Goodrick’s voice leading books with easy-to-understand explanation
• Applying the various chord families to different diatonic cycles for fresh sounds
• Using “hidden” chords and arpeggios you already know in unexpected ways to express harmonic minor sounds
• Exploration of three different ways to use these unconventional sounds for both melodic and chordal playing
• Triad pairs from harmonic minor, as well as thinking of them as hexatonic scales
• Pentatonic scales derived from harmonic minor, including fingerings and suggested uses
• Example comping and solo etudes demonstrating both basic and exotic uses of harmonic minor over standard chord progressions
• Voice leading through diatonic cycles with both open and close triads

Course Details

• 117 minutes in length
• Includes 28 pages of written examples and exercises
• Includes backing tracks for musical examples
• All musical examples from the video are provided in music notation and tablature
• Each example performance is shown in close-up view and titled and numbered for easy navigation