A Harmonic Minor vs A Melodic Minor
A melodic minor is A harmonic minor with a raised 6th: F becomes F#. Both drawn on one guitar neck.
Tap any note on the neck.
Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.
A melodic minor is A harmonic minor with a raised 6th: F becomes F#.
A harmonic minor vs A melodic minor: what is different
They share six notes and differ in one:
- The 6th: F in harmonic minor, F# in melodic minor (b6 → 6).
Shared by both: A B C D E G#.
When to use which
Play both over the same chord and listen to the notes that differ. Whichever sounds right for the song is the answer; the names matter less than the ear. As a rule, the scale with the raised note sounds brighter or more tense, and the one with the lowered note sounds darker or more settled.
Hear the difference
Free, no account needed. Change the key and both scales follow.
Find out what you should learn next. Five questions and Guitar Theory Studio builds you a four-week plan through the fretboard, chords, scales, arpeggios and ear training — week one free.
Build my free plan →