About the A flat Harmonic Minor scale
A flat 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.
A♭ Harmonic Minor draws four black keys from the piano, A♭, B♭, D♭, and E♭.
Chords in the key of A flat Harmonic Minor
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
A flat minor over C flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B flat diminished over D flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
C flat augmented over E flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D flat minor over F flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E flat over G (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F flat over A flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G diminished over B flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A flat Harmonic Minor
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
A flat minor major seven
B flat minor seven flat five
C flat major seven sharp five
D flat minor seven
E flat seven
F flat major seven
G diminished seven
Progressions in A flat Harmonic Minor
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AbA♭ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BbB♭ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | CbC♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DbD♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | EbE♭ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | FbF♭ | Minor 6th |
| 7 | GG | 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 flat | B flat | C flat | D flat | E flat | F flat | G | A flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Practicing it
Going up, the right hand passes its thumb under on C♭ and F♭. C♭ and G are the left hand's thumb notes. Every black key here, A♭, B♭, D♭, and E♭, sits under a long finger, with the fourth finger anchoring on B♭, 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 Harmonic Minor scaleB flat Harmonic Minor scaleB Harmonic Minor scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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