A♭ Harmonic Minor scale
The A♭ Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note harmonic minor scale built on the root A♭. Its notes are A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭ and G. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A♭ Harmonic Minor a great tool for improvising and composing.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. Built on the root A♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
A♭ Harmonic Minor on the piano
A♭ Harmonic Minor on the guitar
A♭ Harmonic Minor on the staff
Hear the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A♭(Ab) |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | B♭(Bb) |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | C♭(Cb) |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | D♭(Db) |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | E♭(Eb) |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | F♭(Fb) |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | G |
Diatonic chords of A♭ Harmonic Minor
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale
The diatonic chords of A♭ Harmonic Minor are: i = A♭m, ii° = B♭°, III+ = C♭+, iv = D♭m, V = E♭, VI = F♭, vii° = G°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A♭ Harmonic Minor. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Harmonic minor drives Eastern European folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. That raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel.
Practice tips
Spend extra time on the augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees - that interval is the scale’s emotional fingerprint. Drill it slowly, then in scale runs.
Famous songs
A♭ Harmonic Minor appears throughout harmonic minor drives eastern european folk, flamenco, classical music and metal. that raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic and gives you a dramatic, exotic feel. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to A♭ Harmonic Minor
Once you are comfortable with A♭ Harmonic Minor, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with A♭ Harmonic Minor and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The A♭ Harmonic Minor scale follows the natural minor pattern with a raised seventh, creating an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees. Step pattern: W - H - W - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
What is the formula for the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
Is A♭ Harmonic Minor a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
Which genres use A♭ Harmonic Minor?
How do I practise the A♭ Harmonic Minor scale?
Take A♭ Harmonic Minor into your music
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