Scale
C Harmonic Minor Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B
Root: C
Intervals
1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7
How it is built
This scale starts on C and applies the intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
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Guide and musical context
About C Harmonic Minor Scale
C Harmonic Minor Scale uses the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B. Its character is minor and dramatic, with a strong leading tone from its raised seventh.
Character and sound
Minor and dramatic, with a strong leading tone from its raised seventh.
Musical context and history
Harmonic minor raises scale degree seven of natural minor to create a leading tone and a stronger major or dominant-seventh V chord. This adjustment is central to much functional minor-key harmony.
How and where it is used
Use it over functional minor progressions, minor-key dominants, classical music, neoclassical metal, jazz and several traditional idioms.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on C. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7 and, from C, produces the notes C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Harmonic Minor Scale?
The notes are C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Minor and dramatic, with a strong leading tone from its raised seventh. Use it over functional minor progressions, minor-key dominants, classical music, neoclassical metal, jazz and several traditional idioms.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.