G♭ Harmonic Minor scale
The G♭ Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note harmonic minor scale built on the root G♭. Its notes are G♭, A♭, B𝄫, C♭, D♭, E𝄫 and F. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make G♭ Harmonic Minor a great tool for improvising and composing.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. Built on the root G♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- G♭ · A♭ · B𝄫 · C♭ · D♭ · E𝄫 · F
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M
- Step pattern
- W H W W H W+H H
- Tonic
- G♭
G♭ Harmonic Minor on the piano
G♭ Harmonic Minor on the guitar
G♭ Harmonic Minor on the staff
Hear the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | B𝄫(Bbb) | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | C♭(Cb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | D♭(Db) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | E𝄫(Ebb) | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | F |
Diatonic chords of G♭ Harmonic Minor
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale
The diatonic chords of G♭ Harmonic Minor are: i = G♭m, ii° = A♭°, III+ = B𝄫+, iv = C♭m, V = D♭, VI = E𝄫, vii° = F°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♭ Harmonic Minor. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel.
Practice tips
Spend extra time on the augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees - that interval is the scale’s emotional fingerprint. Drill it slowly, then in scale runs.
Where you will hear G♭ Harmonic Minor
G♭ Harmonic Minor appears throughout harmonic minor drives eastern european folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. that raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The G♭ Harmonic Minor scale follows the natural minor pattern with a raised seventh, creating an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees. Step pattern: W - H - W - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
- The G♭ Harmonic Minor scale contains G♭, A♭, B𝄫, C♭, D♭, E𝄫 and F.
- What is the formula for the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
- G♭ Harmonic Minor follows the natural minor pattern with a raised seventh, creating an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees.
- Is G♭ Harmonic Minor a major or minor scale?
- G♭ Harmonic Minor is a harmonic minor scale. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel.
- What chords belong to the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
- The diatonic chords of G♭ Harmonic Minor are G♭m, A♭°, B𝄫+, C♭m, D♭, E𝄫, F°.
- Which genres use G♭ Harmonic Minor?
- Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel.
- How do I practise the G♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
- Spend extra time on the augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees - that interval is the scale’s emotional fingerprint. Drill it slowly, then in scale runs.