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 |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | B |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | C |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | D |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | E |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | F |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | G♯(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 = Am, ii° = B°, III+ = C+, 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 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 in A Harmonic Minor
These well-known tracks all use the A Harmonic Minor scale.
- 1Hava NagilaTraditional
- 2Sultans of SwingDire Straits (passages)
- 3MisirlouDick Dale
- 4Symphony No. 40Mozart
- 5Don't Cry For Me ArgentinaAndrew Lloyd Webber
Famous songs
Songs and pieces that use A Harmonic Minor include “Hava Nagila” (traditional); “Misirlou” - Dick Dale. Studying these examples is one of the fastest ways to internalise the scale’s 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
Build progressions, find chord voicings and improvise with confidence using our music tools.