G Harmonic Minor Scale

Notes in the G Harmonic Minor Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic G 391.995 Hz
2 Supertonic A 440.000 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant A♯ 466.164 Hz
4 Subdominant C 261.626 Hz
5 Dominant D 293.665 Hz
♭6 Minor Submediant D♯ 311.127 Hz
7 Leading Tone F♯ 369.994 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W-H-W-W-H-A2-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Whole Step (W) 2 G A
2 Half Step (H) 1 A A♯
3 Whole Step (W) 2 A♯ C
4 Whole Step (W) 2 C D
5 Half Step (H) 1 D D♯
6 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 D♯ F♯
7 Half Step (H) 1 F♯ G

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 G G minor minor
2 A A diminished diminished
♭3 A♯ A♯ augmented augmented
4 C C minor minor
5 D D major
♭6 D♯ D♯ major
7 F♯ F♯ diminished diminished

Key Signature

1 — The G key signature uses F♯.

G Harmonic Minor Scale in Practice

The G Harmonic Minor Scale uses the key signature of 1 sharp (F♯). G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music. On guitar, G positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The harmonic minor scale raises the 7th degree of the natural minor scale, creating a leading tone and a characteristic augmented second interval between degrees 6 and 7. When played starting on G, the 7 notes are G, A, A♯, C, D, D♯, F♯. In this key the signature has 1 sharp (F♯). G is the most natural key for guitar, with the open G and D strings providing a resonant tonic and dominant pedal. Bluegrass, country, and folk music favor G because open-position chords ring clearly and fingerpicking patterns fall under the hand naturally.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
A♯ 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
D♯ 311.127 Hz 309.026 Hz 313.951 Hz
F♯ 369.994 Hz 371.251 Hz 367.911 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: G Harmonic Minor Scale Positions

The G key offers 1 sharp (F♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.