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