The harmonic minor scale is a natural minor scale with the 7th degree raised by a semitone, giving the pattern W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H. A harmonic minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, and the raised 7th creates the major V chord that pulls strongly back to the tonic.
What is the harmonic minor scale?
The harmonic minor scale is a natural minor scale with one note changed: the 7th degree is raised by a semitone. A natural minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, while A harmonic minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A. That single raised note changes the scale's character dramatically: it creates a major V chord, E major in the key of A minor, where the natural minor scale gives a minor v chord, E minor, and the major V chord pulls much more strongly back to the tonic. The harmonic minor scale exists because composers wanted a stronger dominant chord in minor keys. In the natural minor scale the gap between the 7th degree and the tonic is a whole tone, which gives the scale a relaxed, floating quality, but it also means the V chord is minor and does not pull home. Raising the 7th by a semitone closes that gap to a half step, creating a leading note that leans toward the tonic, and the V chord becomes major, with a tritone that drives the resolution. The trade-off is the distinctive augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th degrees, F to G# in A harmonic minor, which spans three semitones and gives the scale its exotic, Middle Eastern flavour.
How the harmonic minor scale works
The interval pattern of the harmonic minor scale is W, H, W, W, H, augmented 2nd, H, or in semitones, 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11. The gap between the 6th and 7th degrees is three semitones, an augmented 2nd, which is the widest step in any common scale, and it is what makes the harmonic minor scale sound so distinctive. The other gaps are the same as the natural minor scale: a whole step, a half step, a whole step, a whole step, a half step, and then the augmented 2nd, and finally a half step back to the tonic. The harmonic minor scale is used mainly for harmony, not for melody, which is why it is called harmonic: composers use it to build chords, especially the V chord, and they often switch back to the natural minor scale for melodies, to avoid the awkward augmented 2nd. In A minor the V chord is E major, E, G# and B, and the G# comes from the harmonic minor scale, while the melody over it might use G natural from the natural minor scale. The A harmonic minor scale shows the notes, the E major guitar chord is the V chord it creates, and the key of A minor shows where the scale belongs.
Worked example — E harmonic minor. Start with E natural minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E. Raise the 7th degree, D, by a semitone to D#, and you have E harmonic minor: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E. The V chord is B major, B, D# and F#, where the D# comes from the raised 7th, and it pulls strongly back to E minor. Check the augmented 2nd: C to D# spans three semitones, which is the distinctive gap of the harmonic minor scale. The E harmonic minor scale shows the notes, and the B major guitar chord is the V chord.
How to practise the harmonic minor scale
Practise the harmonic minor scale as a pair with the natural minor scale, so your ear learns the single note that changes and the effect it has.
- Play the A natural minor scale ascending, then the A harmonic minor scale, and listen for the G rising to G# at the top.
- Play the V–i movement in A minor, E major to A minor, and notice how the G# in the E chord pulls toward A.
- On piano, play the harmonic minor scale with your right hand while your left hand plays the tonic, and listen for the exotic sound of the augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th degrees.
- Build the harmonic minor scales of E, B and F# minor, raising the 7th degree in each case and checking the augmented 2nd.
- Use the scale finder to compare the harmonic minor and natural minor scales on the same root, and name the one note that differs.
Common mistakes
- Using harmonic minor for melodies — The augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th degrees is awkward to sing and to play melodically, which is why the harmonic minor scale is mainly used for harmony. For melodies, use the natural minor or melodic minor scale instead.
- Forgetting to raise the 7th in the V chord — The whole point of the harmonic minor scale is the major V chord, and if you play a minor v chord instead, the scale has done nothing. Check that the V chord has a major 3rd, which comes from the raised 7th.
- Raising the 6th as well as the 7th — Raising the 6th as well as the 7th gives the melodic minor scale, not the harmonic minor scale. The harmonic minor scale keeps the 6th lowered and raises only the 7th.
Quick reference
This table lists the harmonic minor scale in six keys, with the raised 7th degree in the last column so you can see the single note that changes in each row. Every other note is identical to the natural minor scale on the same root, which is why the table is the quickest way to learn the harmonic minor scale: take the natural minor scale and raise the 7th.
| Key | Harmonic minor notes | Raised 7th |
|---|---|---|
| A minor | A – B – C – D – E – F – G# | G# |
| E minor | E – F# – G – A – B – C – D# | D# |
| B minor | B – C# – D – E – F# – G – A# | A# |
| D minor | D – E – F – G – A – A# – C# | C# |
| G minor | G – A – A# – C – D – D# – F# | F# |
| C minor | C – D – D# – F – G – G# – B | B |
Work through the table by taking the natural minor scale on each root and raising the 7th degree by a semitone, checking your answers against the rows. When you can do that without looking, play the V chord of each key and listen for the raised 7th inside it, pulling the harmony home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the harmonic minor scale?
The harmonic minor scale is a natural minor scale with the 7th degree raised by a semitone. A harmonic minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, and the raised 7th creates a major V chord that pulls strongly back to the tonic.
Why is it called harmonic minor?
Because it is used mainly for harmony, to build chords, rather than for melody. Composers raise the 7th to create a major V chord, and they often switch back to the natural minor scale for melodies, to avoid the awkward augmented 2nd.
What is the augmented 2nd in harmonic minor?
The gap between the 6th and 7th degrees, which spans three semitones: F to G# in A harmonic minor. It is the widest step in any common scale, and it gives the harmonic minor scale its distinctive exotic sound.
How is harmonic minor different from natural minor?
One note: the 7th degree. In A natural minor the 7th is G, a whole tone below the tonic, while in A harmonic minor the 7th is G#, a semitone below the tonic, which makes it a leading note that pulls toward the tonic.
Where is the harmonic minor scale used?
In classical music, flamenco, Middle Eastern music and jazz, wherever a minor key needs a strong dominant chord. The V–i cadence in a minor key almost always uses the harmonic minor scale for the V chord.