Piano scales

Scales source and guide for musicians

Harmonic Minor Scales

The Harmonic Minor Scale is one of three minor scales. The other two are the Natural Minor and the Melodic Minor. The sound of the Harmonic Scale is somewhat characterized by the music of the Middle East by the augmented second interval of the fifth and sixth degrees. But this sound is not always used and a common approach is leaning on the sixth note of the scale over a V chord (see detailed information below).

The Harmonic Minor differs from the Natural Minor by the sharpened seventh note. The less common Harmonic Major Scale can be seen as relative to the Harmonic Minor.

Harmonic Minor Scales overview
A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A, A# (theoretically correct is B#, E# and G## instead of C, F and A) / Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, A, Bb
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C, C# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C) / Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, A, C, Db
D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D, D# (theoretically correct is E# and C## instead of F and D) / Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, D, Eb
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, F, F# (theoretically correct is E# instead of F) / Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db, Ebb, F, Gb
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G# (theoretically correct is F## instead of G) / Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, G, Ab

Fingering: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger.
LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps
Intervals: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7
Semitones: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 1
Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole and a half, Half

Harmonic Minor Scale and chord progressions relationship

The Harmonic Minor Scale is characterized by the sharpened 7th, For example, G# instead of G in the A Harmonic Minor Scale. This difference can be reflected in chord progressions including a major V chord instead of a minor v chord. For example, Am - F - G - E instead of Am - F - G - Em.

In a progression such as Am - F - G - E, a typical approach for the musician when combining scales notes with chords is to use the Natural Minor Scale over the Am - F - G sequence and when switch to the Harmonic Minor Scale over the last E chord.

Modes

There are seven modes (modes can be seen as alternate versions of scales) of the Harmonic Minor Scale:

• Harmonic Minor mode 1 - identical to the scale presented above
• Harmonic Minor mode 2 - Locrian #13
• Harmonic Minor mode 3 - Ionian #5
• Harmonic Minor mode 4 - Dorian #11
• Harmonic Minor mode 5 - Phrygian Dominant
• Harmonic Minor mode 6 - Lydian #2
• Harmonic Minor mode 7 - Super Locrian.

These are explained more in detail in the fourth part of the Lesson Series in the member area.

See also harmonizing the Harmonic Minor Scale into chords.

Backing tracks

Backing tracks including Harmonic Minor scales presented by Pianoscales.org.

The Harmonic Minor is often used in combination with the Natural Minor when improvising. In the 16-bar instrumental song below, C# and C#7 chords are played in the bar 8th and bar 16th and you should change to the F#m Harmonic Minor when.

Track list (selection)

F#m Campfire

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