C# 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
- C# 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
1C#root
2D#major 2nd
b3Eminor 3rd
4F#perfect 4th
5G#perfect 5th
b6Aminor 6th
7B#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
- C#WD#HEWF#WG#HAWHB#
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IC#point of resttonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
VG#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIB#B#
IC#C#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIEE
IVF#F#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IC#C#
IID#D#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how C# 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.