fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON TROMBONE

F♭ 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 F♭ Harmonic Minor Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
F♭1234567partial 2
Harmonic seriesTube of the tonic fingering — F♭ sounds partial 2
partial 1 — E1 (+0¢)1partial 2 — E2 (+0¢)2partial 3 — B2 (+2¢)3partial 4 — E3 (+0¢)4partial 5 — G♯3 (-14¢)5partial 6 — B3 (+2¢)6partial 7 — D4 (-31¢)7-31¢partial 8 — E4 (+0¢)8partial 9 — F♯4 (+4¢)9partial 10 — G♯4 (-14¢)10partial 11 — A♯4 (-49¢)11-49¢partial 12 — B4 (+2¢)12
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 F♭ Harmonic Minor scale?

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

What chords work over F♭ 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 F♭ Harmonic Minor on Trombone?

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.