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 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.
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.
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.
Play A Harmonic Minor on Piano
You can use the diagram below to play the A harmonic minor scale with the right hand.
Here is the version for the left hand. Simply repeat the sequence to play more than one octave of the scale.
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.
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 Harmonic Minor in Treble Clef
A Harmonic Minor in Bass Clef
A Harmonic Minor in Alto Clef
A Harmonic Minor in Tenor Clef
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.
