C 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 C, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | C D E F G A♭ B |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | CD°EmFmGA♭+B° |
Chords in the C Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · C
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C Harmonic Major uses one black key (A♭) and six white.
C · D · E · F · G · A♭ · B
Try C 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.
C Harmonic Major on the guitar
C Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
C Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the C Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | D | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | E | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | F | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | A♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | B | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes C 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 C, C Harmonic Major has A♭ where C Major has A; every other note is shared with C Major (C D E F G A B).
How to use the C Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of C Harmonic Major are: I = C, ii° = D°, iii = Em, iv = Fm, V = G, VI+ = A♭+, vii° = B°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C 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 C 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 C Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for C 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 C Harmonic Major scale?
The C Harmonic Major scale contains C, D, E, F, G, A♭ and B.
What is the formula for the C Harmonic Major scale?
C Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is C Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
C 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 C Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of C Harmonic Major are C, D°, Em, Fm, G, A♭+, B°.
Which genres use C 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 C Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano C Harmonic Major uses one black key (A♭) and six white.
What is the difference between C Harmonic Major and C Major?
On C, C Harmonic Major has A♭ where C Major has A; every other note is shared with C Major (C D E F G A B).
How do I practise the C 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.