Scale · Harmonic Minor

G♯ Harmonic Minor scale

The G♯ harmonic minor scale runs G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F𝄪 — 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 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and the left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3, over one octave.

Notes
G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F𝄪
Formula
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7
Steps
W H W W H W+H H
Relative major
B Major

On the keyboard

The G♯ Harmonic Minor scale on the piano keyboard: G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E F𝄪34123123G♯A♯BC♯D♯EF𝄪G♯

The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.

Fingering, one octave

DegreeNoteRight handLeft hand
1G♯33
2A♯42
3B11
4C♯24
5D♯33
6E12
7F𝄪21
8G♯33

Ascending, right hand 3–4–1–2–3–1–2–3; left hand 3–2–1–4–3–2–1–3. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.

The key of G♯ Minor

This scale is the key of G♯ Minor: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.

G♯ in the other forms

Harmonic Minor scales on every root

Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.