C Harmonic Minor Scale
The C Harmonic Minor scale contains 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B.
C Harmonic Minor scale on the piano
Key facts
- Scale type
- Harmonic Minor
- Number of notes
- 7
- Formula
- W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H
What is the Harmonic Minor scale?
Harmonic minor is the natural minor scale with a raised seventh. Raising that note restores the leading tone, so the dominant chord becomes major and resolves strongly to the tonic. The step and a half between the sixth and seventh gives the scale its distinctive colour.
C Harmonic Minor is a scale, not a key. It has no key signature of its own — music that uses it is normally written in the key signature of its parent scale, with any extra accidentals added as they occur.
Scale degrees of C Harmonic Minor
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | P1 | 0 |
| 2 | D | M2 | 2 |
| 3 | E♭ | m3 | 3 |
| 4 | F | P4 | 5 |
| 5 | G | P5 | 7 |
| 6 | A♭ | m6 | 8 |
| 7 | B | M7 | 11 |
Chords in C Harmonic Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of C Harmonic Minor using only notes from the scale.
Other scales on C
Every scale type that starts on C, for comparison.
Harmonic Minor in every key
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C Harmonic Minor scale?
The C Harmonic Minor scale has 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B.
What is the formula for the C Harmonic Minor scale?
The C Harmonic Minor scale follows the step pattern W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H, where H is a half step and W is a whole step.
What chords are in the C Harmonic Minor scale?
The triads built from the C Harmonic Minor scale are Cm, Ddim, E♭aug, Fm, G, A♭, Bdim.
