A harmonic minor scale

1 sharp: G♯ · pattern W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H

A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯

Step patternWHWWHW+HH

Chords in A harmonic minor

iAm

ii°Bdim

III+Caug

ivDm

VIF

vii°G♯dim

Scale degrees

Degree	Note	Name	Half steps from A
1	A	Tonic	0
2	B	Supertonic	2
3	C	Mediant	3
4	D	Subdominant	5
5	E	Dominant	7
6	F	Submediant	8
7	G♯	Leading tone	11

About this scale

Harmonic minor is natural minor with a raised 7th, G♯, a half step below the tonic. That leading tone turns the v chord into a major V, giving minor keys their strong cadence — and creates the distinctive step-and-a-half between F and G♯.

Seventh chords in A harmonic minor scale

i(maj7) Am(maj7)iiø7 Bm7♭5III+7 Cmaj7♯5iv7 Dm7V7 E7VImaj7 Fmaj7vii°7 G♯dim7

Other A scales

A major A natural minor A melodic minor A major pentatonic A minor pentatonic A blues A Dorian A Mixolydian

Harmonic minor scale in other keys

C C♯D E♭E F F♯G A♭B♭B

Questions

What are the notes of the A harmonic minor scale?

A, B, C, D, E, F, G♯, and back to A.

How many sharps or flats are in A harmonic minor scale?

1: G♯.

What is the step pattern of the harmonic minor scale?

W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H, where W is a whole step (two keys) and H is a half step (the next key). Start that pattern on A to get this scale.