Guitar Scale Logic
E Harmonic Minor Guitar Scale in Drop C
Harmonic Minor scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|------------------------------------1--2--| A|------------------------------2--3--------| F|---------------------1--2--4--------------| C|------------0--3--4-----------------------| G|---0--2--4--------------------------------| C|4-----------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The E Harmonic Minor scale uses E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D♯ and the formula 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7. In Drop C tuning, the open strings run D A F C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each E root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Harmonic Minor sounds dramatic, classical and sharply directional. Try it for neo-classical leads, dark cadences and cinematic themes. Drop C is C-G-C-F-A-D from low to high. Compared with Standard, the top five strings are a whole tone lower and the sixth string is two whole tones lower.
Spotlight the major 7th so the scale does not blur into natural minor. In Drop C, learn the sixth-string notes separately before connecting them to the upper strings.
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C
- D♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Emminor
- E5power
- F♯dimdiminished
- Amminor
- Adimdiminished
- Am7minor 7
- A5power
- Bmajor
- B7dominant 7
- B5power