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C# Harmonic Minor Scale

Intermediate

Scale notes: C# · D# · E · F# · G# · A · B#

guitar fretboard

C# C# Harmonic Minor scale on guitar fretboardEF#G#AB#C#D#EAB#C#D#EF#G#AD#EF#G#AB#C#G#AB#C#D#EF#B#C#D#EF#G#AEF#G#AB#C#D#E

C♯ harmonic minor (C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B♯) has four sharps in its key signature and its raised 7th (B♯) creates the exotic augmented 2nd between A and B♯. It has a dramatic, neoclassical character valued in classical, metal, and film scoring. C♯ harmonic minor works well over C♯mM7 and C♯ dominant-function chords.

Quality
Minor
Defining Interval
Augmented 2nd (6th–7th gap)
Mood
Exotic, dramatic
Common Genres
ClassicalNeoclassical MetalFlamencoGypsy Jazz

Characteristic Sound

Characteristic sound of C# Harmonic Minor

Raising the 7th degree of natural minor creates the signature augmented 2nd between the flat 6th and major 7th — an exotic interval that gives harmonic minor its Middle Eastern and neoclassical character. This raised 7th enables the strong V–i cadence that defines minor-key songwriting.

Key intervals:7th
Browse diatonic grid, piano & quality heatmap
F# Harmonic MinorAb Harmonic Minor

Formula and Intervals

Formula
W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H
Semitones: 2-1-2-2-1-3-1
Key Signature
EA
2 flats
Intervals
12♭345♯57

Diatonic Chords

Practice C# Harmonic Minor as a routine

Chord Qualities

Mode Family

Harmonic & Melodic Minor

Variants of the minor scale with raised degrees for distinct harmonic colors.

Notes:
DbEbEGbAbAC

Practice with Scale Tools

Key ExplorerFind a chordScale ExplorerChord FlashcardsScale Ear TrainingScale Chord MatcherMetronomeProgression LibraryDroneTuner

Practice C# Harmonic Minor on Your Instrument

GuitarFretboard diagrams, fingering patterns & alternate tuningsPianoKeyboard diagrams, ear training & chord inversionsUkuleleFretboard diagrams, strumming patterns & GCEA tuningBassFretboard diagrams, arpeggios & EADG tuning

C# Harmonic Minor scale FAQ

What chords are in C# Harmonic Minor?

The diatonic chords in C# Harmonic Minor are: C#m, D#dim, Eaug, F#m, G#, A, Cdim. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.

What is the Harmonic Minor?

C♯ harmonic minor (C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B♯) has four sharps in its key signature and its raised 7th (B♯) creates the exotic augmented 2nd between A and B♯. It has a dramatic, neoclassical character valued in classical, metal, and film scoring. C♯ harmonic minor works well over C♯mM7 and C♯ dominant-function chords.

What notes are in the C# Harmonic Minor?

The C# Harmonic Minor contains the notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B#. This is a 7-note scale starting from C#.

How many chords does the C# Harmonic Minor have?

The C# Harmonic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: C#m, D#dim, Eaug, F#m, G#, A, Cdim.

What is the formula for the Harmonic Minor?

The Harmonic Minor follows the interval formula: W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H (W = whole step, H = half step).