Exotic Scales - Harmonic Major

Hi GMC! Welcome to the third Exotic Scale of this series. This time is the turn of the Harmonic Major. This scale is basically the same as the well-known Harmonic Minor but it has the major third. So we will explore the modes of the scale as well as a possible chord progression.

As I've said in previous lessons the modes of this scales are not always named the same by different authors, so I'll give you the choices if it is necessary.

You will have the modes played once by me and the second time by the backing so you can play over the backing. This two approximations, the modes played over an octave and the chords, will get you familiar with this scale.

I hope you enjoy the lesson!


Here is the chord progression: Cmaj7- Dm7(b5)- Fm maj7- Cmaj7- B°7- Bbmaj7 (#5)- E7 (#9)- G7(b9)- Cmaj7.


Harmonic Major: I –  II –  III – IV – V – VI – VII

                             C    D     E      F     G     Ab      B

Modes:

2nd : Dorian b5/Locrian #2 #6                 D – E – F – G – Ab – B – C – D
3rd :  Phrygian b4/Superlocrian natural 5     E – F – G – Ab – B – C – D – E
4th :  Lydian b3/Lydian Diminished            F – G – Ab – B – C – D – E – F
5th :  Dominant b2/Mixolydian b9              G – Ab – B – C – D – E – F – G
6th :  Lydian Augmented #2/Lydian #2 #5       Ab – B – C – D – E – F – G – Ab
7th :  Locrian bb7/Locrian diminished 7       B – C – D – E – F - G – Ab – B