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Scales

C harmonic minor scale

The C harmonic minor scale notes: C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B. Natural minor with a raised 7th (the leading tone). The gap between the 6th and 7th notes, an augmented second, gives it its exotic sound.

Notes and steps

C1D2E♭♭3F4G5A♭♭6B7

Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H · W = whole step, H = half step

C harmonic minor scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

C harmonic minor scale on the guitar fretboardFGA♭BCDE♭BCDE♭FGA♭DE♭FGA♭BCDGA♭BCDE♭FGBCDE♭FGA♭BFGA♭BCDE♭357912

C harmonic minor scale on piano

C harmonic minor scale on the piano keyboardCDFGBCDFGBE♭A♭E♭A♭

Chords in this scale

iCmii°DdimDm7b5III+E♭augivFmFm7VGG7VIA♭A♭maj7vii°BdimBdim7

Other scales from C

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C harmonic minor scale?

C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B. Step formula: W–H–W–W–H–W+H–H (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (C). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash