Harmonic Minor

The harmonic minor scale is a commonly used scale in many different styles of music. It consists of the intervals R, M2, m3, P4, P5, m6, and M7. Rather than having a lowered 7th of the natural minor scale, The harmonic minor scale has a major 7th.

The natural minor scale is A,B,C,D,E,F, and G. The harmonic minor would be A,B,C,D,E,F, and G#. This allows for a soloist to play over the sound of a major V chord in a minor progression. The harmonized natural minor scale has a minor v chord. But the minor v doesn’t give any harmonic “push” toward the tonic chord with the b7 in it. When you raise it a half step, however, the leading tone (the natural 7th) desperately wants to resolve to the root.

So in Am, you’d typically have an Em chord. But if you raise the 3rd, it becomes a Dominant chord. The G becomes a G#, which has a natural “magnetic” draw to the A note. The harmonic minor scale supplies the G# note. The harmonic minor scale also has a somewhat exotic sound to it as well because of the augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th notes. We will practice all forms of The harmonic minor scale in 4-note patterns, starting on each tone of the scale.