This makes it different from minor keys, because the scales have a different relationship of notes than any natural key. Notice how the G# is raised in both the ascending form, and descending form. The only difference between these two notes is that the 7th scale degree is raised up by one half step, but we keep all the following notes the same. In order to create harmonic minor scales, we alter the seventh degree by raising it one half step, but we keep all other scale degrees the same. Then we transform our simple natural minor scales, by changing one scale degree. A melodic minor scale will actually alter the sixth and seventh scale degree on the way up, and a descending melodic minor scale will lower scale degree 6 and 7. Remember that harmonic minor is different from melodic minor scales. We can also think of this as adding a leading tone, which is the name given to the seventh scale degree being one half step away from the first degree. We can think about the scale not as a relative minor, but as a singular object that is being derived from the natural minor scale, raising a note up one semitone. A natural minor is the relative minor key of C major. This is because these two scales are relatives. We notice that the notes of the A minor keys are not actually changed from the key of C major. Notes of the harmonic minor scaleįirstly, we start by looking at the A natural minor scale.

Even more so, this means that the other scales separate from the seven modes contain different chords, and different key signatures, which allow your music to sound alien, and represent complexities that are not often found in a minor tonality. This raised note makes this scale very unique sounding, because it is not one of the seven church modes of the major scale, as natural minor is. The raised seventh scale degrees are called a leading tone. Harmonic minor piano scales are the same seven notes as a natural minor scale but with one alteration the seventh degree up by one half step. Musicians will use a harmonic minor scale formula in order to represent music that feels more complex than just natural minor. We have a root note or starting note, and we have certain scale degrees that ascend from that, and we call these collections “scale patterns”. No credit card details required Start your piano journey now! What is a harmonic minor scale?īy learning what is the harmonic minor scale, we will know that in a natural minor scale we use many of the same key features that a major scale does.

All 12 minor scales for b flat clarinet