fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA (TREBLE CLEF)

B♭ 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
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

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

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

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

What chords work over B♭ 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 B♭ Harmonic Minor on Viola (treble clef)?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

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.