fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TENOR HORN

A♭ Harmonic Major

Major with a lowered 6th — borrows the harmonic-minor flat-6 into a major context. Used over altered IV / iv6 progressions.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 3 title A♭ Harmonic Major
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 5 title A♭ Harmonic Major
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: synthesised in-browser via Tone.js (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
A♭123partial 2
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — A♭ sounds partial 2
partial 1 — G♯2 (+0¢)1partial 2 — G♯3 (+0¢)2partial 3 — D♯4 (+2¢)3partial 4 — G♯4 (+0¢)4partial 5 — C5 (-14¢)5partial 6 — D♯5 (+2¢)6partial 7 — F♯5 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — G♯5 (+0¢)8
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 A♭ Harmonic Major scale?

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

What's the Harmonic Major scale formula?

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

What chords work over A♭ Harmonic Major?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger A♭ Harmonic Major on Tenor Horn?

On brass, scales train embouchure + valve / slide coordination across the partials. Slow practice with a tuner reveals intonation tendencies (e.g., the 5th partial sharp on trumpet).

When would I use the Harmonic Major scale?

Major with a lowered 6th — borrows the harmonic-minor flat-6 into a major context. Used over altered IV / iv6 progressions.