About the C sharp Harmonic Minor scale
C sharp 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 C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, and B♯. The formula is W H W W H 1½ H.
Also called Keeravani and Kirwani.
On the piano, the key touches the black keys C♯, D♯, F♯, and G♯.
Chords in the key of C sharp Harmonic Minor
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D sharp diminished over F sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E augmented over G sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G sharp over B sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
A over C sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B sharp diminished over D sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in C sharp Harmonic Minor
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
C sharp minor major seven
D sharp minor seven flat five
E major seven sharp five
F sharp minor seven
G sharp seven
A major seven
B sharp diminished seven
Progressions in C sharp Harmonic Minor
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | C#C♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | D#D♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | EE | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F#F♯ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | G#G♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | AA | Minor 6th |
| 7 | B#B♯ | 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 | C sharp | D sharp | E | F sharp | G sharp | A | B sharp | C sharp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Practicing it
The right thumb tucks under to play E and A. The left hand crosses over its thumb on E and B♯. The long fingers cover the black keys C♯, D♯, F♯, and G♯, and the fourth finger anchors the shape on D♯, and the hand sits forward on the keyboard to keep them there.
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Harmonic Minor in other keys
C Harmonic Minor scaleD Harmonic Minor scaleD sharp Harmonic Minor scaleE Harmonic Minor scaleF Harmonic Minor scaleF sharp Harmonic Minor scaleG Harmonic Minor scaleG sharp Harmonic Minor scaleA Harmonic Minor scaleA sharp Harmonic Minor scaleB Harmonic Minor scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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