B Harmonic Minor Scale: Notes, Chords, and How to Play It

The B harmonic minor scale is a favourite in neoclassical metal and virtuosic guitar playing, offering a dark intensity that pairs naturally with the guitar’s open B string. It differs from B natural minor by raising the seventh degree from A to A♯, creating the leading tone and the signature augmented second that define the harmonic minor sound.

Notes of the B Harmonic Minor Scale

The B harmonic minor scale contains seven notes:

B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A♯

It follows the harmonic minor interval pattern — W–H–W–W–H–3H–H — where 3H represents the augmented second (three half steps) between the sixth and seventh degrees (G to A♯). This interval gives the scale its intense, dramatic character.

Compared to B natural minor (B–C♯–D–E–F♯–G–A), only A changes to A♯. This raises the seventh from a minor 7th to a major 7th, creating the half-step pull from A♯ to B. For a broader view of the three minor scale types, see Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic.

B Harmonic Minor on Piano

On the piano, B harmonic minor uses three black keys: C♯, F♯, and A♯. The hand navigates between white and black keys with the augmented second falling between G (white) and A♯ (black).

Right hand fingering (ascending): 1 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (thumb crosses under after D, then fingers walk up to B)

Left hand fingering (ascending): 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 3 – 2 – 1 – (4) (thumb plays F♯, third finger crosses over to G)

The stretch between G and A♯ is the augmented second — wider than a normal whole step. Practise this interval slowly until the hand adjusts to the distance.

B Harmonic Minor on Guitar

On guitar, B harmonic minor is often played starting at the 7th fret of the 6th string or the 2nd fret of the 5th string. The open B string (2nd string) provides a useful drone note.

Position at 2nd fret (5th string root):

The augmented second from G to A♯ requires a stretch across frets on the 3rd string — open G to the 1st fret (A♯) is only one fret, but played on a single string it would span four frets. This asymmetry is the fingerprint of harmonic minor on the guitar.

Use the guitar fretboard view in the Interactive Chord Finder to see all positions at once.

Diatonic Chords in B Harmonic Minor

Building triads on each degree of the B harmonic minor scale:

The two critical features:

1. The V chord is major (F♯ major, not F♯ minor). The raised A♯ transforms the v chord into V, creating the powerful F♯–Bm cadence.

2. The III chord is augmented (Daug), an unusual quality that gives harmonic minor harmony its distinctive colour.

For more on diatonic chord construction, see Diatonic Chords: A Beginner’s Guide.

Seventh Chords

The V7 (F♯7) provides the dominant seventh pull to Bm. The imMaj7 (Bm(maj7)) has the haunting minor-major seventh quality. For more on seventh chords, see Seventh Chords: The Complete Guide.

Common Chord Progressions in B Harmonic Minor

The V–i cadence (F♯–Bm) is the harmonic engine. The raised A♯ creates the leading-tone tension that makes the resolution feel inevitable.

Music That Uses B Harmonic Minor

B harmonic minor is especially popular in metal and classical guitar repertoire:

• Yngwie Malmsteen – many solos and compositions use B harmonic minor
• “Far Beyond the Sun” – Yngwie Malmsteen
• “Dance of Death” – Iron Maiden (passages)
• Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B minor – J.S. Bach
• “Winter” from The Four Seasons – Vivaldi (B minor passages)
• Flamenco guitar – B harmonic minor is a common key choice for Spanish guitar

Relationship to Other Minor Scales

The natural minor lacks a strong dominant. The harmonic minor fixes this with the raised seventh. The melodic minor raises both the sixth and seventh to eliminate the augmented second.

Practice Tips

Start from B natural minor. Raise A to A♯ and you have harmonic minor — a single-note change that transforms the sound.

Isolate the augmented second. Practise G to A♯ until the interval feels natural. On guitar, this is a four-fret stretch on a single string.

Practise the V–i cadence. Play F♯ major to B minor repeatedly, then F♯7 to Bm. Feel the pull of A♯ resolving to B.

Use the open B string as a drone. On guitar, let the open 2nd string ring while playing scale passages on the higher strings. This anchors the tonal centre and helps you hear how each note relates to the root.

Compare with natural minor. Play B natural minor, then B harmonic minor. The single raised note changes the entire mood from reflective to dramatic.

Try It Yourself

Open the Interactive Chord Finder, select B as the root and Harmonic Minor as the scale. You will see every note highlighted on the piano keyboard or guitar fretboard, the step pattern visualised as intervals, and all diatonic chords laid out — ready to play and explore.

For the complete list of scales in every key, see Scales for Piano and Guitar: The Complete Reference Guide.