E♯ Harmonic Major scale
The E♯ Harmonic Major scale is a 7-note harmonic major scale built on the root E♯. Its notes are E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A♯, B♯, C♯ and D𝄪. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make E♯ Harmonic Major a great tool for improvising and composing.
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
- Tonic
- E♯
E♯ Harmonic Major on the piano
E♯ Harmonic Major on the guitar
E♯ Harmonic Major on the staff
Hear the E♯ Harmonic Major scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the E♯ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | E♯(E#) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | F𝄪(F##) | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | G𝄪(G##) | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | A♯(A#) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | B♯(B#) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | C♯(C#) | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | D𝄪(D##) |
Diatonic chords of E♯ Harmonic Major
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 E♯ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of E♯ Harmonic Major are: I = E♯, ii° = F𝄪°, iii = G𝄪m, 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. Click any chord below to open its full 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.
Where you will hear E♯ Harmonic Major
E♯ Harmonic Major appears throughout 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. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
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.
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𝄪°, G𝄪m, 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 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.