Harmonic Major Patterns

The harmonic major is a spiritual cousin to the harmonic minor.

Building the scale is simple; just take a major scale and flatten the 6^th.

Using the scale is not as simple. You’ll need to discover a set of chords that supports the harmony of the scale.

F Harmonic Major

G Dorian ♭5

A Phrygian ♭4

B♭ Lydian ♭3

C Mixolydian ♭9

D♭ Lydian Augmented ♯9

E Locrian ^o7

Key Exercises

• Learn, memorize, and apply the scales.
• Create a chord progression that supports the harmonic major scale using chords built in thirds from each of the modes.
• Improvise using the harmonic major, at first without any accompaniment.