A Harmonic minor
Natural minor with a raised 7th; the leading tone strengthens the pull toward the tonic.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- A Harmonic minor
- Family
- Harmonic scales
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-1-2-2-1-3-1
Notes & degrees
1Aroot
2Bmajor 2nd
b3Cminor 3rd
4Dperfect 4th
5Eperfect 5th
b6Fminor 6th
7G#major 7th
Construction
- Overview
- Natural minor with a raised 7th; the leading tone strengthens the pull toward the tonic.
- Application in music
- The raised 7th produces major V and dominant V7 chords in minor.
- Interval formula
- AWBHCWDWEHFWHG#
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IApoint of resttonic
IIICdefines modal qualitythird
VEsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIG#G#
IAA
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIICC
IVDD
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IAA
IIBB
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how A Harmonic minor looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.