Scale type
Harmonic Minor Scales on Piano
The harmonic minor scale raises the seventh degree of the natural minor, creating a leading tone that pulls strongly toward the tonic. This single alteration produces the characteristic augmented second interval between the sixth and seventh degrees, an exotic, dramatic sound used extensively in classical harmony, flamenco, and Middle Eastern music.
Pick a key to hear and see it below. Each key opens a full reference entry with a keyboard diagram, audio, fingerings, and notation.
Featured key
C Harmonic Minor Scale
Notes: C - D - E♭ - F - G - A♭ - B
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Open the full C Harmonic Minor Scale reference ›Formula: W–H–W–W–H–WH–H (whole–half–whole–whole–half–whole+half–half)
Intervals: P1–M2–m3–P4–P5–m6–M7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–7
Sound: Dramatic, exotic, tense, classical
Also known as: Mohammedan scale (historical name, rarely used today)
Why the raised 7th matters: Without it, the natural minor has no leading tone: the seventh degree sits a whole step below the tonic and feels unresolved. Raising the 7th creates a half-step pull to the root, enabling the V–i cadence that defines minor-key harmony in classical music.
Harmonic Minor Scale in All 18 Keys
All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.
Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.
C Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – BC♯ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B♯D♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – CD Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: D – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C♯D♯ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯♯E♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – DE Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: E – F♯ – G – A – B – C – D♯F Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – EF♯ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D – E♯G♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – FG Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F♯G♯ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯♯A♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – GA Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯A♯ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯♯B♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – AB Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A♯C♭ Harmonic Minor ScaleNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭♭ – B♭
Want the full theory? Intervals, construction, and how this scale connects to others.Minor Scales Guide ›