Minor Scale Positional Harmonization Exercise

In the last lesson, we harmonized the G major scale in first position to understand the chords and intervals contained within the scale. This type of exercise is great because it reinforces four essential skills at once: scale position identity, interval recognition, root note awareness, and diatonic harmony. In this lesson, we’re going to do the same with the G minor scale.

Let’s get started.

The G Minor Scale

Let’s start with the notes and intervals of the G minor scale.

In this lesson we’re just going to be working through the first position of the G minor scale, which is shown below.

Guitar fretboard diagram for the first position of the G minor scale — G Minor Scale – Position 1

Harmonizing the G Minor Scale

When we harmonize the G minor scale we get the following chords. For a full breakdown of how this is done, see Major Scale Chords: What they are and how to build them.

Scale Degree	i	ii°	III	iv	v	VI	VII
Chord	Gm	Am7♭5	B♭	Cm	Dm	E♭	F

Now we’re going to take these chords and combine them with the G minor scale in position 1 to play through all of the chords in the scale that are available to us out of the first position of the scale.

The Exercise

Starting with the root note of the scale, we’re going to play through each note of the scale and play the diatonic chord that is built from note. So from the root on fret 3 of the 6th string, we’ll play the Gm chord. From the note on the 5th fret of the 6th string (major 2nd), we’ll play the Am7♭5 chord, and so on.

The diagram below outlines all of the chords we will be playing in this position.

G minor scale and chords created from the harmonized scale in position 1

Starting from the root note of the scale on fret 3 of the 6th string and playing through 3rd degree of the scale (♭3) on fret 6 of string 1, we get the following:

Guitar tab for working through G minor scale chords in position 1

As you play through each note and chord, be sure to make note of the intervals and chords that are associated with each. Paired with the G major scale harmonization exercise, this will give you almost a complete picture of all the intervals and chord relationships working from the first positions of the major and natural minor scales.

Wrap Up

Apply this across all positions of the G minor scale as the relative chords and intervals will remain the same. You’ll have a thorough understanding of the minor scale, and chords contained within, up and down the fretboard.

If you’re a member of my “Motivated Learners” group on Patreon, I’ve mapped out the rest of the G minor scale positions and chords for you.