Minor
A Harmonic Minor Scale on Piano
A harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of natural minor by a half step, creating a distinctive one-and-a-half-step gap between the sixth and seventh. That gap gives the scale its tense, unmistakable sound while strengthening the pull from V to i in minor-key harmony.
Notes of the A Harmonic Minor Scale
| Degree | Note | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| 2 | B | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F | Minor 6th |
| 7 | G# | Major 7th |
| 8 | A | Octave |
W-H-W-W-H-1½-HW · H · W · W · H · 1½ · HThe same as natural minor except the 7th is raised, producing an augmented second between scale degrees 6 and 7.
W = whole step, H = half step, 1½ = one and a half whole steps (three half steps).
A Harmonic Minor on the Staff
One octave ascending in bass clef with the key signature of A minor (no sharps, no flats).
Fingering
Same fingering as A natural minor — the raised 7th (G#) is still a white-to-black move in the same hand position.
- 1A
- 2B
- 3C
- 1D
- 2E
- 3F
- 4G#
- 5A
- 5A
- 4B
- 3C
- 2D
- 1E
- 3F
- 2G#
- 1A
Numbers indicate fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little. Both rows are shown in ascending order (low note to high note). Note the left hand starts on the pinky (5) at the lowest note and crosses the middle finger over the thumb to continue upward — that is why the left-hand numbers count down before cycling again.
Diatonic Chords in A Harmonic Minor
The seven triads built on each scale degree. They use only the notes of this scale; real pieces often add chords with altered notes as well.
Where You Hear This Scale
In classical music the raised 7th usually appears at cadences: G# turns the E minor chord into E major, which pulls strongly back to A minor. You will also hear it in neoclassical metal lead lines and in film scores that want a dramatic minor sound. The augmented second between F and G# is the sound to listen for.
Train Your Ear to Recognize This Scale
Put what you learned into practice with Fortepian's free scale identification exercise. Hear a scale and identify it — 9 progressive levels, from major and minor to modes, pentatonic, blues, and exotic scales. No signup needed.
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