C Major Harmonic Exercises

C Harmonic Major Scale Overview

The C Harmonic Major Scale is derived by lowering the 6th degree of the major scale. Its notes are:

C - D - E - F - G - Ab - B - C

The intervals are: W - W - H - W - H - m3 - H (W = Whole Step, H = Half Step, H3 or m3 = Minor Third).

It has a rich, exotic sound, making it ideal for creating unique melodies and improvisations.
The harmonic major scale contains seven notes, just like the major scale, but the interval pattern is distinct:

• Formula: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - ♭6 - 7
• Intervals: W - W - H - W - H - 3H - H
  • W: Whole step (2 frets)
  • H: Half step (1 fret)
  • 3H: Minor third (3 frets)

Guitar Exercises for C Harmonic Major Scale

Here are 8 exercises in tab form, designed to cover the scale across the fretboard. Play these slowly at first, ensuring clean tone and precision.

Exercise 1: Basic Scale - 2 Notes Per String

e|----------------------------------7-8-|
B|----------------------------8-10------|
G|-------------------7-9-10-------------|
D|------------7-9-10--------------------|
A|-----7-8-10---------------------------|
E|-8-10---------------------------------|

Exercise 2: 3 Notes Per String (Ascending)

e|----------------------------------7-8-10-|
B|----------------------------8-10---------|
G|-------------------7-9-10----------------|
D|------------7-9-10-----------------------|
A|-----7-8-10------------------------------|
E|-8-10------------------------------------|

Exercise 3: Descending Scale

e|-10-8-7-----------------------------------|
B|-------10-8-------------------------------|
G|------------10-9-7------------------------|
D|------------------10-9-7------------------|
A|------------------------10-8-7------------|
E|--------------------------------10-8------|

Exercise 4: 4 Notes Per String Sequence

e|--------------------------------7-8-10-12-|
B|--------------------------8-10-------------|
G|-------------------7-9-10------------------|
D|------------7-9-10-------------------------|
A|------7-8-10-------------------------------|
E|-8-10--------------------------------------|

Exercise 5: String Skipping (Ascending and Descending)

e|--------------------------7-8-------------|
B|-------------------8-10-------------------|
G|------------7-9-10------------------------|
D|------7-9---------------------------------|
A|-8-10-------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------|

Exercise 6: Circular Pattern

Play groups of four notes and cycle back to the 2nd note.

e|------------------------------7-8-10-8-7--------------------|
B|------------------------8-10-------------------------------|
G|-----------------7-9-10------------------------------------|
D|----------7-9-10------------------------------------------|
A|---7-8-10-------------------------------------------------|
E|-8-10-----------------------------------------------------|

Exercise 7: Arpeggiated Scale Fragments

Focus on arpeggio-like patterns in the scale.

e|----------------------------7-8-------------|
B|-----------------------8-10-----------------|
G|----------------7-9-10----------------------|
D|---------7-9--------------------------------|
A|---7-8-10----------------------------------|
E|-8------------------------------------------|

Exercise 8: Full-Scale Run (Across the Neck)

A workout to navigate the scale across the fretboard.

e|-------------------------------------------7-8-10-12-13-|
B|-------------------------------8-10-12-13---------------|
G|------------------7-9-10-12----------------------------|
D|---------7-9-10----------------------------------------|
A|---7-8-10---------------------------------------------|
E|-8----------------------------------------------------|

Tips

1. Use alternate picking for smooth, clean playing.
2. Focus on accuracy before increasing speed.
3. Experiment with slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs for expression.

Enjoy your practice! 🎶