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 | A♯B♯°C𝄪mD♯mE♯F♯+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 three black keys (A♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white. B♯, C𝄪, E♯ and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, D, F and A.
A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯ · E♯ · F♯ · G𝄪
Play A♯ Harmonic Major on the online 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 = 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 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, D♯m, 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 three black keys (A♯, D♯ and F♯) and four white. B♯, C𝄪, E♯ and G𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, D, F and A.
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.