The A Harmonic Minor Scale: A Music Theory Guide

By Jade Bultitude
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The A Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note scale starting and ending on A natural. Harmonic Minor scales were created mainly to help with chords, but they do appear in melodies too. The scale appears in a wide variety of music, from Mozart to Katy Perry, to neo-classical metal. 

The notes of the A Harmonic Minor Scale are:

A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A

a harmonic minor scale, in treble clef with name labels

A Harmonic Minor Intervals

The harmonic minor scale is the same as the natural minor, except for a raised 7th degree by a semitone. In terms of intervals, this changes the major 2nd interval between 6th and 7th notes to an augmented 2nd. 

You can see the intervals in the A Harmonic Minor scale below. It’s worth remembering that this pattern will be the same for all harmonic minor scales. 

a harmonic minor scale with tone and semitone labels

The Harmonic Minor Formula

We can also create the harmonic minor scale from the major scale. By lowering the 3rd and 6th of the relative major scale we will create the harmonic minor scale.

major, natural minor and harmonic minor formula

Degrees of the A Harmonic Minor Scale

  • 1st degree – A
  • 2nd degree – B
  • 3rd degree – C
  • 4th degree – D
  • 5th degree – E
  • 6th degree – F
  • 7th degree – G#

A Harmonic Minor Modes

The natural minor scale is the same as the Aeolian mode, so this means that if we raise the 7th of the Aeolian we will get the harmonic minor scale. This is written as Aeolian #7. The great thing about the modes is that they all link together, A Aeolian has the same notes as B Locrian, except that B Locrian starts on a B. And C Ionian has the same notes too, except it starts and ends on a C. If the is news to you, check out our guide to modes for more detail.

As the modes link together we can create modes for A Harmonic Minor using this approach. The mode names and notes are set out below.

modes of a harmonic minor scale

Play A Harmonic Minor on Piano

You can use the diagram below to play the A harmonic minor scale with the right hand. 

a harmonic minor scale right hand

Here is the version for the left hand. Simply repeat the sequence to play more than one octave of the scale.

a harmonic minor left hand

Play A Harmonic Minor on Guitar

The harmonic minor scale can be played in several position on the guitar. Here is the standard position starting on an A. This shape can be moved up and down the neck to play different harmonic minor scales. 

a harmonic minor scale, guitar tabs, two octaves

The Key Signature of A Harmonic Minor

The harmonic minor scale is usually played in pieces in a minor key. This means that if we are playing A Harmonic Minor, our piece will be in the key of A (natural) Minor. As A minor is the relative minor of C major, it has a key signature with no sharps or flats.

a minor key signature, treble clef

A Harmonic Minor in Treble Clef

a harmonic minor scale, treble clef, ascending and descending

A Harmonic Minor in Bass Clef

a harmonic minor scale, bassclef, ascending and descending

A Harmonic Minor in Alto Clef

a harmonic minor scale, alto clef, ascending and descending

A Harmonic Minor in Tenor Clef

a harmonic minor scale, tenor clef, ascending and descending

The Chords in A Harmonic Minor

Chords can be constructed from the notes of A harmonic minor scale. Learn more about this in our post on A harmonic minor chords. 

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AUTHOR
Jade is a flute player and music educator with a passion for educating the next generation of musicians. She is a Masters Graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Jade has been helping people learn music theory for more than 10 years from pre school children all the way to degree level studies.