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𝄪°G𝄪mA♯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 two black keys (A♯ and C♯) and five white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, B♯ and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, C and E.
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B♯ · C♯ · D𝄪
Play E♯ Harmonic Major on the online piano
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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 = 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. 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𝄪°, 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 you play the E♯ Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano E♯ Harmonic Major uses two black keys (A♯ and C♯) and five white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, B♯ and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, C and E.
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.