C♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The C♯ Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note harmonic minor scale built on the root C♯. Its notes are C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A and B♯. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make C♯ 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 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.
C♯ Harmonic Minor on the piano
C♯ Harmonic Minor on the guitar
C♯ Harmonic Minor on the staff
Hear the C♯ Harmonic Minor scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the C♯ Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | C♯(C#) |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | D♯(D#) |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | E |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | F♯(F#) |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | G♯(G#) |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | A |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | B♯(B#) |
Diatonic chords of C♯ 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 C♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The diatonic chords of C♯ Harmonic Minor are: i = C♯m, ii° = D♯°, III+ = E+, 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 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
C♯ Harmonic Minor appears throughout 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. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to C♯ Harmonic Minor
Once you are comfortable with C♯ Harmonic Minor, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with C♯ Harmonic Minor and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The C♯ 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 C♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
What is the formula for the C♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
Is C♯ Harmonic Minor a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the C♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
Which genres use C♯ Harmonic Minor?
How do I practise the C♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
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