Scale
C harmonic minor scale
The C harmonic minor scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭ and B.
- Notes
- C · D · E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B
- Step pattern
- W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H
W = whole step (two keys), H = half step (the very next key).
Play it yourself
Play the scale going up: start on C and tap each note in order.
- C
- D
- E♭
- F
- G
- A♭
- B
The harmonic minor scale is natural minor with a raised 7th. That one note creates a strong pull back to the root and the exotic-sounding jump of three half steps between the 6th and 7th notes.
Chords in C harmonic minor
Build a chord on each note of the scale using only notes from the scale, and you get these seven. The Roman numeral shows the step it is built on: upper case for major, lower case for minor.