C harmonic minor scale
2 flats: E♭ A♭ · pattern W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Half steps from C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Tonic | 0 |
| 2 | D | Supertonic | 2 |
| 3 | E♭ | Mediant | 3 |
| 4 | F | Subdominant | 5 |
| 5 | G | Dominant | 7 |
| 6 | A♭ | Submediant | 8 |
| 7 | B | Leading tone | 11 |
About this scale
Harmonic minor is natural minor with a raised 7th, B, 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 A♭ and B.
Seventh chords in C harmonic minor scale
i(maj7) Cm(maj7)iiø7 Dm7♭5III+7 E♭maj7♯5iv7 Fm7V7 G7VImaj7 A♭maj7vii°7 Bdim7
Other C scales
C majorC natural minorC melodic minorC major pentatonicC minor pentatonicC bluesC DorianC Mixolydian
Harmonic minor scale in other keys
Questions
What are the notes of the C harmonic minor scale?
C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B, and back to C.
How many sharps or flats are in C harmonic minor scale?
2: E♭, A♭.
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 C to get this scale.