How To Chord The Harmonic Minor Scale

Hello, this is part of our continuing instruction on why we learn scales in every key. The major scale is the most practiced but most musicians omit the harmonic minor scale where some of our most dynamic sounding gospel songs of the 90's reside. Here is my example of how I practice and apply this scale/chord technique.

[@michaeldean9338]

Thank you, sir. Great video :)

[@Soundofjoy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@okok-ee5yv]

Super helpful thanks

[@FrankNobelMusic]

this is awesome,
But im very confused by that added A.
When you are going through the scale its C,D, Eb, F, G, Ab, b,C
But when you’re playing the chords, you add an A to the D chord?

[@Soundofjoy]

Not sure where I showed that chord but if its on the minor family* of scale tones it can be used.

[@danwest9900]

That's what I'm wondering also. With either harmonic or natural minor C, the A flat is diatonic and the II chord is D and triad should be D - F - A flat.

[@grizzlymartin1]

Thanks. Will need to watch several times over. Grasping the left-hand step up inversions to allow the right hand to dance with the melody was really a great learning moment. Thank you.

[@Soundofjoy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grizzlymartin1]

@@Soundofjoy I am watching again and I just learned something more. You keep saying “I’m gonna add a 7th here...” I kept looking for the 7th of the diatonic chord you were playing, but finally realized that you would play the tonic in the base (say a B natural) but then play the 2nd inversion of that chord over it and but then add the 7th of THAT chord - not the 7th of the Bdim chord; i.e., f, g, b, d. (G7/B). Very cool. Forces me to understand better, what tones/intervals are “allowed.” I think you mentioned that print outs were available. I’ll look. I am determined to get this skill under my fingers. Will take weeks, but gonna get it. Many thanks.

[@grizzlymartin1]

@@Soundofjoy Hello again, and Happy New Year. I’d like to ask if you can take a moment sometime to explain how you use the “7th’s” here and explain why they are NOT the 7th of the scale you are in, but the 7th of the right hand chord/scale you are playing? For ex: G7/B natural. (F is the augmented 4 or flat 5 of the Bnatural, but you call it a 7th b/c of the G). Thanks.

[@Soundofjoy]

@@grizzlymartin1 When playing gospel music theory kinda gets left behind and the ear determines the desired tone. I'll admit I don't follow the rules as written but allow what I want to hear to govern which fingering I use. When there's a mistake I correct it next time I choose to use it. I've said in many of my videos I'm choosing between 4-5 potential chords before I play them.

[@grizzlymartin1]

edited (augmented 4 or flat 5).

[@ArchAGabriel]

I love doing the song soon we'll be done with the troubles of this world in a minor scale.

[@vt3musicproduction]

Richard Smallwood song : oh lord my lord how excellent is thy name!

[@vt3musicproduction]

Also consider the song call “manifest! “

[@jackiel279]

Real good. Thank you.

[@Soundofjoy]

Thanks for listening

[@js-x1]

What software is being used to show the chords?

[@Soundofjoy]

It the Chordie app available from the internet

[@js-x1]

@@Soundofjoy Thank you, Sir 🙂

[@realbass4302]

Do you off lessons by skype

[@Soundofjoy]

Yes, [e-mail] for information.