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SCALE · ON BASS CLARINET

D♭ Harmonic Minor

Natural minor with a raised 7th, restoring the leading-tone pull to the tonic. The augmented 2nd between ♭6 and ♮7 gives it its characteristic exotic edge.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave + major 2nd below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title D♭ Harmonic Minor Verovio
Keyboard
CF♭B𝄫CF♭B𝄫CF♭B𝄫CD♭E♭G♭A♭D♭E♭G♭A♭D♭E♭G♭A♭
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D♭ Harmonic Minor scale?

The D♭ Harmonic Minor scale uses the notes D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B𝄫, C (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Harmonic Minor scale formula?

The Harmonic Minor scale follows the interval pattern W H W W H W+H H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on D♭ to get the D♭ Harmonic Minor scale.

What chords work over D♭ Harmonic Minor?

Harmonic minor's diatonic chords include i minor, ii°, ♭III+ augmented, iv minor, V major (with the leading tone), ♭VI major, vii° diminished. V→i is the strong cadence.

How do I finger D♭ Harmonic Minor on Bass Clarinet?

On woodwinds, scales train fingering coordination + breath support + register changes. Pay particular attention to the break (the register-key transition); slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation issues across the break.

When would I use the Harmonic Minor scale?

Natural minor with a raised 7th, restoring the leading-tone pull to the tonic. The augmented 2nd between ♭6 and ♮7 gives it its characteristic exotic edge.