to visualize C Melodic Minor just play C major but change every E to Eb, and change every A to Ab). To visualize Harmonic Minor patterns – simply flat the 3rd and the 6th of the Parent Major scale. By thinking of the fingerboard in a larger scale – it makes it easier for me to navigate Melodic and Harmonic Minor as – solely from a fingering/sonic visualization standpoint – I just see it as variations of the Major scale patterns.I think of C Major all over the fingerboard instead of D Dorian or A Aeolian.)

Instead of thinking of individual modes when playing, I tend to think of larger tonal systems (i.e.The major scale can be broken down into seven two-string modes that follow a specific order based on its scale degree from the parent scale (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian). The two-string patterns are modular and can be adapted to positional playing.Any 2-string fingering pattern that starts on the B string can be moved to the same starting pitch on the D or the low E string and keep the same fingering. The guitar fingerboard can be divided into 3 sets of two strings.I’ve talked about my approach to Harmonic Minor briefly in part 9 of this series – but as a brief review: Now let’s talk about visualizing the scale.

Having said that, modes starting on the b3 and 4th add some really cool sounds as well.

This scale has a lot of cool arpeggios and chord scale associations, but the most commonly used scales and modes are the root scale and the mode based on the 5th of the scale (R, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7).C Harmonic Minor is spelled C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C – and from the root note the step and a 1/2 between the Ab and the B is a very distinctive sound of the scale.

B flat minor melodic scale