This post is a summary of the other posts regarding the modes of the Harmonic Minor scale (see Index to other posts at the end).
As with the Melodic Minor scale, I am trying to break away from the usual pattern-based approach to learning scales and am attempting to use a purely interval-based approach. This post just sums up the important information to help me along.
| Mode | Intervals | Chords | Description |
| Harmonic Minor | 1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – 7 | min(Maj)7 Dom7b9 |
Works well over V7 to Im progressions. |
| Locrian ♮6 | 1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – 4 – ♭5 – 6 – ♭7 | min7b5 | Can be used in minor ii-V-I progressions. |
| Ionian #5 | 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – #5 – 6 – 7 | Major 7#5 | Works well in jazz and fusion contexts. |
| Dorian #4 | 1 – 2 – ♭3 – #4 – 5 – 6 – ♭7 | min7 | Can be used in a modal jazz context, especially over minor ii-V progressions. |
| Phrygian Dominant | 1 – ♭2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – ♭6 – ♭7 | Dom7 | Works well in a V7 to i progression (e.g., E7 → Am). Features strongly in modern metal too. |
| Lydian #2 | 1 – #2 – 3 – #4 – 5 – 6 – 7 | Major 7 | Works well for fusion and cinematic music. |
| Altered Diminished | 1 – ♭2 – ♭3 – ♭4 – ♭5 – ♭6 – ♭♭7 | Dom7alt | Often used in jazz as a V7alt resolving to Im. |