Notes in the F Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Note | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Tonic |
| 2 | G | Supertonic |
| ♭3 | A♭ | Mediant |
| 4 | B♭ | Subdominant |
| 5 | C | Dominant |
| ♭6 | D♭ | Submediant |
| 7 | E | Leading tone |
Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E.
F 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 F Harmonic Minor scale
Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:
| Degree | Triad | 7th chord |
|---|---|---|
| i | Fm | Fm(maj7) |
| ii° | G° | Gø7 |
| III+ | A♭+ | A♭7♯5 |
| iv | B♭m | B♭m7 |
| V | C | C7 |
| VI | D♭ | D♭maj7 |
| vii° | E° | E°7 |
Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.
Related scales
- Natural minor: F Natural Minor
How to practise the F 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 F Harmonic Minor scale?
The notes of the F Harmonic Minor scale are F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E.
What is the formula for the F 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 F Harmonic Minor scale?
Built from the scale in triads: Fm, G°, A♭+, B♭m, C, D♭, E°.
More F scales
F Major, F Natural Minor, F Melodic Minor, F Dorian, F Phrygian, F Lydian, F Mixolydian, F Locrian, F Major Pentatonic, F Minor Pentatonic, F Blues, F Lydian Dominant, F Whole Tone, F Dorian ♭2, F Lydian Augmented, F Mixolydian ♭6, F Locrian ♯2, F Phrygian Dominant, F Hungarian Minor, F Double Harmonic, F Diminished (W–H), F Diminished (H–W), F Bebop Dominant, F 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.