Eb 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
Eb 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

1Ebroot
2Fmajor 2nd
b3Gbminor 3rd
4Abperfect 4th
5Bbperfect 5th
b6Cbminor 6th
7Dmajor 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
Eb
W
F
H
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb
WH
D

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IEbpoint of resttonic
IIIGbdefines modal qualitythird
VBbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIDD
IEbEb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIGbGb
IVAbAb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IEbEb
IIFF
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Eb Harmonic minor looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions