fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

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 5 title C♯ Harmonic Minor
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 4 6 8 title C♯ Harmonic Minor
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
C♯C stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeAB♯C♯D♯EF♯G♯AD♯EF♯G♯AB♯C♯D♯EG♯AB♯C♯D♯EF♯G♯AB♯C♯D♯EF♯G♯AB♯C♯
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 Viola?

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.