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 | C♯D♯°E♯mF♯mG♯A+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 four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. E♯ and B♯ are the white keys you'd normally call F and C.
C♯ · D♯ · E♯ · F♯ · G♯ · A · B♯
Play C♯ 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.
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 = E♯m, iv = F♯m, 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♯°, E♯m, F♯m, 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 four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. E♯ and B♯ are the white keys you'd normally call F and C.
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.