Harmonic minor scale: notes, formula and sound
The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised 7th. Hear its exotic augmented second, see it in all 12 keys, and spot the wrong note.
The harmonic minor scale is the natural minor scale with its 7th note raised a half step. A harmonic minor is A B C D E F G♯ A. The raised 7th creates a leading note that pulls to the tonic, and a wide gap of 3 semitones (an augmented second) between the 6th and 7th notes that sounds dramatic and exotic.
Listen: A harmonic minor scale
A B C D E F G♯ A
What is the formula of the harmonic minor scale?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H |
What does the harmonic minor scale sound like?
Dark and dramatic, with a Middle-Eastern or flamenco flavour from the 6th-to-7th jump (F to G♯ in A).
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen for the big step near the top: three semitones between degrees 6 and 7.
- It exists to give minor keys a major V chord (E major in A minor) and a strong cadence.
- Steps: W-H-W-W-H-(W+H)-H.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a harmonic minor scale with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The harmonic minor scale in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| A harmonic minor | A B C D E F G♯ | |
| E harmonic minor | E F♯ G A B C D♯ | |
| B harmonic minor | B C♯ D E F♯ G A♯ | |
| F♯ harmonic minor | F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E♯ | |
| C♯ harmonic minor | C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B♯ | |
| G♯ harmonic minor | G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F♯# | |
| D harmonic minor | D E F G A B♭ C♯ | |
| G harmonic minor | G A B♭ C D E♭ F♯ | |
| C harmonic minor | C D E♭ F G A♭ B | |
| F harmonic minor | F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E | |
| B♭ harmonic minor | B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A | |
| E♭ harmonic minor | E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the harmonic minor scale?
Whole, half, whole, whole, half, augmented second (3 semitones), half. In semitones: 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12.
What is the difference between natural and harmonic minor?
Only the 7th note: harmonic minor raises it a half step. A natural minor has G, A harmonic minor has G sharp.
Why is it called harmonic minor?
Because the raised 7th is needed for the harmony: it makes the V chord major (E G sharp B in A minor), which resolves strongly to the tonic chord.
What are the notes of D harmonic minor?
D E F G A B flat C sharp D.