To count up a Whole tone, count up by two physical piano keys, either white or black. The harmonic minor scale uses the W-H-W-W-H-W½-H note counting rule to identify the scale note positions. This step applies the harmonic minor scale note interval pattern starting from A, so that the correct piano keys and note pitches can be identified. So whereas the A natural minor scale has note G for the 7th note, this note is raised to arrive at note G# for this harmonic minor scale. The difference between the A harmonic minor scale and the A natural minor scale is that the 7th note position of the minor scale is raised by one half-tone / semitone. G# is the leading tone of the A harmonic minor scaleĪ is the octave of the A harmonic minor scale A harmonic minor scale degrees Note no.Ī is the tonic of the A harmonic minor scaleī is the supertonic of the A harmonic minor scaleĬ is the mediant of the A harmonic minor scaleĭ is the subdominant of the A harmonic minor scaleĮ is the dominant of the A harmonic minor scaleį is the submediant of the A harmonic minor scale The stave diagrams above show the scale notes without a key signature, with the sharp / flat adjustments inserted before each note on the staff.įor the key signature of this scale, showing the symbols grouped correctly next to the bass or treble clef symbol at the beginning, have a look at the A harmonic minor key signature. These note names are shown below on the treble clef followed by the bass clef.
![harmonic minor scale harmonic minor scale](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zZiu1ANzL.jpg)
Middle C (midi note 60) is shown with an orange line under the 2nd note on the piano diagram. The 8th note of the A harmonic minor scale is A The 7th note of the A harmonic minor scale is G# The 6th note of the A harmonic minor scale is F The 5th note of the A harmonic minor scale is E The 4th note of the A harmonic minor scale is D The 3rd note of the A harmonic minor scale is C The 2nd note of the A harmonic minor scale is B The 1st note of the A harmonic minor scale is A A harmonic minor scale note names Note no. Since the natural minor key is itself on the Circle of 5ths - A minor on circle of 5ths, this means that this is a commonly used harmonic minor scale key. This harmonic minor scale is based on the natural minor scale with the same key / tonic note - A natural minor scale. It also shows the scale degree names for all 8 notes. See also question 87.This step shows the ascending A harmonic minor scale on the piano, treble clef and bass clef. A descending "melodic minor" is just the natural minor scale again. But really the minor scale is a variable one whose 6th and 7th degrees are often altered, particularly when ascending.
![harmonic minor scale harmonic minor scale](https://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/harmonic_minor_modes.jpg)
So really the A minor scale coming downward is going to be the plain natural minor: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A.īy long custom in music school, we say that the "melodic minor" has two forms, ascending and descending.
![harmonic minor scale harmonic minor scale](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ehsankoopayeh/images/9/90/The_Harmonic_Minor_Scale.jpg)
And if the G isn't changed there's no reason to change the F, either. On the way down, a melody isn't going to need that raised 7th degree because it's not leading to the tonic - so the G can be used without alteration. We call that "melodic minor," presumably because the change was made for melodic reasons. So then the F gets raised as well, and you end up with a minor scale from A that reads: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A. That's "harmonic minor," because this change to G was made for harmonic purposes.īut if the A minor melody had an F before the G it might be good to raise the F, too, if the composer wants to avoid the exotic-sounding augmented second of F to G#.
![harmonic minor scale harmonic minor scale](https://i2.wp.com/www.constantinecruz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/D-HARMONIC-MINOR-SCALE-OK-GUITAR.jpg)
So in the scale on A that would be G# instead of G. When a minor melody is upward-bound, the 7th degree is often raised a half step so that it will make a "leading tone" to the tonic. And of course thay same pattern of steps can be played starting on any note - like D natural minor, which is D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D. Start with the natural minor - that's the pattern of the white keys if you play from from A to A on the piano. D.L.Īnswer: It's not really all flats coming down. Question: What is the difference between the harmonic a minor scale and the melodic a minor scale? I know one is the same going up and coming down and one is all flats coming down. harmonic minor What is the difference between the harmonic a minor scale and the melodic a minor scale?