Minor
C Harmonic Minor Scale on Piano
C harmonic minor uses the Eb and Ab of C minor but raises the seventh from Bb to B natural. In written music it usually keeps C minor's three-flat key signature, with a natural sign on B. The result is the augmented-second sound between Ab and B.
Notes of the C Harmonic Minor Scale
| Degree | Note | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | Eb | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | Ab | Minor 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
| 8 | C | Octave |
W-H-W-W-H-1½-HW · H · W · W · H · 1½ · HC natural minor with the 7th raised from Bb to B, producing the augmented second from Ab to B.
W = whole step, H = half step, 1½ = one and a half whole steps (three half steps).
C Harmonic Minor on the Staff
One octave ascending in treble clef with the key signature of C minor (3 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab).
Fingering
Same fingering as C natural minor. Ascending in the right hand, Eb and Ab both fall under finger 3 and B under finger 4.
- 1C
- 2D
- 3Eb
- 1F
- 2G
- 3Ab
- 4B
- 5C
- 5C
- 4D
- 3Eb
- 2F
- 1G
- 3Ab
- 2B
- 1C
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 C 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
Composers writing in C minor, from Mozart and Beethoven to Rachmaninoff, raise the 7th to B natural at cadences to get a strong pull back to C. Practice it with a metronome; the augmented second from Ab to B is where players often stumble.
Train Your Ear to Recognize This Scale
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