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.