fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

C 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.

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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave 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 C Harmonic Minor Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DGDGBD
35791215DGDGBDDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭DE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭FGA♭BCDDE♭FGA♭BCDE♭F
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Alternate arrangements
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 C Harmonic Minor scale?

The C Harmonic Minor scale uses the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B (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 C to get the C Harmonic Minor scale.

What chords work over C 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 C Harmonic Minor on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

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.