Scale · Harmonic Minor
A Harmonic Minor scale
The A harmonic minor scale runs A B C D E F G♯ — the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7, in steps of W H W W H W+H H (W a whole tone, H a semitone). The right hand plays it 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and the left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, over one octave.
- Notes
- A B C D E F G♯
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7
- Steps
- W H W W H W+H H
- Relative major
- C Major
On the keyboard
The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.
Fingering, one octave
| Degree | Note | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | B | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | C | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | D | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | E | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | F | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | G♯ | 4 | 2 |
| 8 | A | 5 | 1 |
Ascending, right hand 1–2–3–1–2–3–4–5; left hand 5–4–3–2–1–3–2–1. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.
The key of A Minor
This scale is the key of A Minor: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.
A in the other forms
Harmonic Minor scales on every root
Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.