The harmonic minor scale
Know why the harmonic minor raises the 7th and how it sounds.
The natural minor scale has one weakness: its 7th degree does not pull strongly to the tonic. The harmonic minor fixes that with a single change.
Raising the 7th
In the natural minor scale the 7th degree is a whole step below the tonic, the subtonic. The pull “home” is weaker than in major, where the 7th is a half step below. The harmonic minor raises the 7th by a half step, restoring the leading tone:
- formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7;
- pattern W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H.
Between ♭6 and 7 there is now a gap of 3 semitones, an augmented 2nd. It gives the scale its typical, “exotic”-sounding colour.
Spelling
| Key | Natural minor | Harmonic minor |
|---|---|---|
| Am | A B C D E F G | A B C D E F G♯ |
| Dm | D E F G A B♭ C | D E F G A B♭ C♯ |
| Gm | G A B♭ C D E♭ F | G A B♭ C D E♭ F♯ |
The raised 7th is not part of the key signature: it is written as an accidental each time. Cm gives B natural. In some keys the raised 7th needs a double sharp: G♯ minor → F𝄪, D♯ minor → C𝄪.
The name “harmonic” comes from its use in harmony. Its raised 7th makes the V chord of a minor key major, which gives a strong resolution to the tonic (Module 8).
Play A natural minor and then A harmonic minor. On the way up, stop on the 7th of each and hear how strongly the harmonic minor’s G♯ wants to go to A.