E♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The E♯ Harmonic Minor scale is a 7-note harmonic minor scale built on the root E♯. Its notes are E♯, F𝄪, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯ and D𝄪. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make E♯ 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 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 H W W H W+H H
- Tonic
- E♯
E♯ Harmonic Minor on the piano
E♯ Harmonic Minor on the guitar
E♯ Harmonic Minor on the staff
Hear the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | E♯(E#) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | F𝄪(F##) | |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | 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 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 E♯ Harmonic Minor scale
The diatonic chords of E♯ Harmonic Minor are: i = E♯m, ii° = F𝄪°, III+ = G♯+, 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 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.
Where you will hear E♯ Harmonic Minor
E♯ 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.
Formula & step pattern
The E♯ 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.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
- The E♯ Harmonic Minor scale contains E♯, F𝄪, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯ and D𝄪.
- What is the formula for the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
- E♯ Harmonic Minor follows the natural minor pattern with a raised seventh, creating an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees.
- Is E♯ Harmonic Minor a major or minor scale?
- E♯ Harmonic Minor is a harmonic minor scale. Natural minor with a raised seventh, creating a dramatic, eastern feel.
- What chords belong to the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
- The diatonic chords of E♯ Harmonic Minor are E♯m, F𝄪°, G♯+, A♯m, B♯, C♯, D𝄪°.
- Which genres use E♯ Harmonic Minor?
- 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.
- How do I practise the E♯ Harmonic Minor scale?
- 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.