About the A Harmonic Minor scale
A Harmonic Minor is used for classical minor keys, flamenco, metal and Middle Eastern melodies. Think of it as a minor scale with a dramatic raised seventh, the backbone of classical minor keys.
Its notes are A, B, C, D, E, F, and G♯. The formula is W H W W H 1½ H.
Also called Keeravani and Kirwani.
On the piano, the key touches the black key G♯. A Harmonic Minor runs six white keys in a row on the piano.
Chords in the key of A Harmonic Minor
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
A minor over C (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B diminished over D (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
C augmented over E (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D minor over F (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F over A (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Harmonic Minor
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
A minor major seven
B minor seven flat five
C major seven sharp five
D minor seven
E seven
F major seven
G sharp diminished seven
Progressions in A Harmonic Minor
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BB | Major 2nd |
| 3 | CC | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DD | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | EE | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | FF | Minor 6th |
| 7 | G#G♯ | Major 7th |
| Steps | W H W W H 1½ H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-2-2-1-3-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 |
Fingering
Standard fingering
| Hand | A | B | C | D | E | F | G sharp | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Practicing it
In the right hand, the thumb comes under on D. In the left hand, the thumb takes E. The left hand's fingering read backwards is the right hand's, so starting both thumbs on A and playing outward in contrary motion uses the same finger in each hand at every step. Every black key here, G♯, sits under a long finger, and the fourth finger anchors the shape on G♯, so the thumb never has to reach onto the raised group.
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Harmonic Minor in other keys
C Harmonic Minor scaleD flat Harmonic Minor scaleD Harmonic Minor scaleE flat Harmonic Minor scaleE Harmonic Minor scaleF Harmonic Minor scaleG flat Harmonic Minor scaleG Harmonic Minor scaleA flat Harmonic Minor scaleB flat Harmonic Minor scaleB Harmonic Minor scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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