C Harmonic Minor Scale

C Harmonic Minor

scale

At a Glance

Formula:
C harmonic-minor
Notes:
C, D, D#, F, G, G#, B

Piano

Fretboard

eBGDAE

What It Is

Natural minor with a raised 7th degree, closing the gap between degree 7 and the octave to a half step. Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B.

How It Functions

Creates a leading tone into the tonic, giving minor keys a strong V-i cadence like major keys have.

Mood & Character

Dramatic and exotic - the augmented second between its 6th and 7th degrees gives it a Middle Eastern or classical-tragic tension plain minor doesn't have.

Real Song Examples

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