Exotic Scales

Explore harmonic minor, melodic minor, diminished, whole tone, and other exotic scales for unique, sophisticated sounds.

Harmonic Minor Scale

The "Classical" Sound
Natural minor with raised 7th

Formula: 1-2-♭3-4-5-♭6-7 (natural minor with major 7th)

A Harmonic Minor:
e|---5-7-8-10-12-13-16-17---|
    A B C D  E  F  G# A

Notice the exotic interval between F and G# (3 half-steps)

Use over: Minor chords, especially i-V progressions (Am-E7-Am)

Sound: Dark, classical, Middle Eastern, dramatic

Melodic Minor Scale

The "Jazz Minor"
Natural minor with raised 6th and 7th

Formula: 1-2-♭3-4-5-6-7 (ascending), revert to natural minor descending

A Melodic Minor (ascending):
e|---5-7-8-10-12-14-16-17---|
    A B C D  E  F# G# A

Use over: Minor 7th chords, altered dominant chords

Sound: Smooth, jazzy, sophisticated

Diminished Scale

Symmetrical & Tense
Alternating whole-half or half-whole steps

Two versions: Whole-Half (for diminished chords), Half-Whole (for dominant 7♭9 chords)

C Diminished (Whole-Half):
e|---8-9-11-12-14-15-17-18---|
    C D Eb F  F# G# A  B  C

Repeats every 3 frets (symmetrical)

Use over: Diminished 7th chords, dominant 7♭9 chords

Sound: Tense, dissonant, jazzy, mysterious

Whole Tone Scale

Dreamy & Ambiguous
All whole steps, no half steps

Formula: 1-2-3-#4-#5-♭7 (all intervals are whole steps)

C Whole Tone:
e|---8-10-12-14-16-18---|
    C D  E  F# G# A#  C

Use over: Augmented chords, dominant 7#5 chords

Sound: Dreamy, floating, unresolved, cinematic

Video Resources

Harmonic Minor Explained
Search YouTube →
Diminished Scale Applications
Search YouTube →
Exotic Scale Tips

• Don't overuse—exotic scales are spices, not the main dish

• Learn one scale at a time, master its sound and application

• Study Yngwie Malmsteen (harmonic minor), Allan Holdsworth (melodic minor)

• Use exotic scales to create tension before resolving to familiar sounds