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 | C♯m | C♯m(maj7) |
| ii° | D♯° | D♯ø7 |
| III+ | E+ | E7♯5 |
| iv | F♯m | F♯m7 |
| V | G♯ | G♯7 |
| VI | A | Amaj7 |
| 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: C♯m, D♯°, E+, F♯m, G♯, A, B♯°.
More C♯ scales
C♯ Major, C♯ Natural Minor, C♯ Melodic Minor, C♯ Dorian, C♯ Phrygian, C♯ Mixolydian, C♯ Locrian, C♯ Major Pentatonic, C♯ Minor Pentatonic, C♯ Blues, C♯ Altered, C♯ Dorian ♭2, C♯ Mixolydian ♭6, C♯ Locrian ♯2, C♯ Phrygian Dominant, C♯ Double Harmonic, C♯ Diminished (W–H), 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.