G Harmonic major Scale
G Harmonic major contains 7 notes: G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F♯. It has 1 sharp: F♯. The step pattern is W–W–H–W–H–W+H–H.
A major scale with a surprise twist: the 6th is flatted, creating a "bright yet dark" duality that sounds like major and minor coexisting. It's rare and unusual, which makes it a secret weapon for adding sophisticated color to jazz and classical writing.
The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7. Lowering just the 6th creates an augmented 2nd between b6 and 7, identical to the gap found in harmonic minor. The lower half sounds purely major while the upper half turns dark and dramatic. It harmonizes into two major triads (I, V), two minor triads (iii, iv), an augmented triad, and two diminished triads. Debussy, Ravel, and jazz arrangers use it for its sophisticated ambiguity.
Think of your major scale shapes and drop the 6th one fret. The harmonic major can sound "wrong" if played linearly without care, so break it into arpeggios over jazz turnarounds — that's where its beauty emerges. Practice it over Imaj7(b13) and V7(b9) chords for the most musical results.