fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TENOR HORN

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.

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 C♯ Harmonic Minor 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
C♯123partial 3
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — C♯ sounds partial 3
partial 1 — F♯2 (+0¢)1partial 2 — F♯3 (+0¢)2partial 3 — C♯4 (+2¢)3partial 4 — F♯4 (+0¢)4partial 5 — A♯4 (-14¢)5partial 6 — C♯5 (+2¢)6partial 7 — E5 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — F♯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 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 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 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.