Notes in the C Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Tonic |
| 2 | D | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | E♭ | Mediant |
| 4 | F | Subdominant |
| 5 | G | Dominant |
| ♭6 | A♭ | Submediant |
| 7 | B | Leading tone |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: C D E♭ F G A♭ B.
C Harmonic Minor scale formula
The pattern of steps from one note to the next is W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = a step of three semitones). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.
Chords in the C Harmonic Minor scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Cm | Cm(maj7) |
| ii° | D° | Dø7 |
| III+ | E♭+ | E♭7♯5 |
| iv | Fm | Fm7 |
| V | G | G7 |
| VI | A♭ | A♭maj7 |
| vii° | B° | B°7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Related scales
- Natural minor: C Natural Minor
How to practise the C Harmonic Minor scale
Learn it as natural minor with the 7th raised a half step. The leap from the ♭6 up to the 7 is a step and a half, which gives the scale its dramatic sound, so practise that gap slowly.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes in the C Harmonic Minor scale?
The notes of the C Harmonic Minor scale are C D E♭ F G A♭ B.
What is the formula for the C Harmonic Minor scale?
The pattern of whole and half steps is W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.
What chords are in the C Harmonic Minor scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Cm, D°, E♭+, Fm, G, A♭, B°.
More C scales
C Major, C Natural Minor, C Melodic Minor, C Dorian, C Phrygian, C Lydian, C Mixolydian, C Locrian, C Major Pentatonic, C Minor Pentatonic, C Blues, C Lydian Dominant, C Altered, C Whole Tone, C Dorian ♭2, C Lydian Augmented, C Mixolydian ♭6, C Locrian ♯2, C Phrygian Dominant, C Hungarian Minor, C Double Harmonic, C Diminished (W–H), C Diminished (H–W), C Bebop Dominant, C Bebop Major
Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.