A Harmonic Major at a glance
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. 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.
| Notes | A B C♯ D E F G♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | AB°C♯mDmEF+G♯° |
Chords in the A Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Harmonic Major uses two black keys (C♯ and G♯) and five white.
A · B · C♯ · D · E · F · G♯
Try A Harmonic Major on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
A Harmonic Major on the guitar
A Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
A Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the A Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | G♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes A Harmonic Major different
Harmonic major is the major scale with a lowered sixth, the one note that separates it from major. The ♭6 opens an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees, the same gap harmonic minor has, but over a major tonic. It changes the subdominant: the iv chord is minor while V stays major, so the minor iv to I cadence is built into the scale. Its ♭VI chord is augmented. On A, A Harmonic Major has F where A Major has F♯; every other note is shared with A Major (A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯).
How to use the A Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of A Harmonic Major are: I = A, ii° = B°, iii = C♯m, iv = Dm, 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 Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
Practice tips
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.
Formula & step pattern
The A Harmonic Major scale follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color. Step pattern: W - W - H - 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.
Where you will hear A Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for A Harmonic Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Harmonic Major scale?
The A Harmonic Major scale contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F and G♯.
What is the formula for the A Harmonic Major scale?
A Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is A Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
A Harmonic Major is a harmonic major scale. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz.
What chords belong to the A Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of A Harmonic Major are A, B°, C♯m, Dm, E, F+, G♯°.
Which genres use A Harmonic Major?
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
How do you play the A Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano A Harmonic Major uses two black keys (C♯ and G♯) and five white.
What is the difference between A Harmonic Major and A Major?
On A, A Harmonic Major has F where A Major has F♯; every other note is shared with A Major (A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯).
How do I practise the A Harmonic Major scale?
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.