Article Tags: harmonic major

A student and I were talking about modes and scales and got on to the harmonic major scale. Here's a simple progression to use to play around with the tonic form of the scale. First:

Tonic Position 3 Notes / String, in A in this example, move the pattern around to change the key:

e | 7 - 9 - 10- |

B | 6 - 9 - 10- |

G | 6 - 7 - 9 - |

D | 6 - 7 - 9 - |

A | 5 - 7 - 8 - |

E | 5 - 7 - 9 - |

Progression, 4 counts each or mix it up:
major, Maj7, aug, sus4

On the four bass strings, x is on the low E string all on the same fret:

major

x - - -

- - - o

- o o -



Maj7

x - - -

- - - o

- o o -



aug

x - - -

- - - o

- - o -

- o - -



sus4

x o - -

- - - -

- - o o

Using the bass strings, you have some room to add a melody, but it sounds nice to hit the chord then noodle around some, then go to the next chord... It's a kinda catchy little progression and it's simple.

An example: root all the chords above on the 5th fret low E string, this will be in A Harmonic Major

Updated on: 2008 09 04