F 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 F, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where F is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | F G A B♭ C D♭ E |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | FG°AmB♭mCD♭+E° |
Chords in the F Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
F Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · F
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano F Harmonic Major uses two black keys (B♭ and D♭) and five white.
F · G · A · B♭ · C · D♭ · E
Play F Harmonic Major on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
F Harmonic Major on the guitar
F Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
F Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the F Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | G | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | A | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | B♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | C | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | D♭ | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | E | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes F 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 F, F Harmonic Major has D♭ where F Major has D; every other note is shared with F Major (F G A B♭ C D E).
How to use the F Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of F Harmonic Major are: I = F, ii° = G°, iii = Am, iv = B♭m, V = C, VI+ = D♭+, vii° = E°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F 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 F 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 F Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for F 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 F Harmonic Major scale?
The F Harmonic Major scale contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D♭ and E.
What is the formula for the F Harmonic Major scale?
F Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is F Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
F 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 F Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of F Harmonic Major are F, G°, Am, B♭m, C, D♭+, E°.
Which genres use F 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 F Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano F Harmonic Major uses two black keys (B♭ and D♭) and five white.
What is the difference between F Harmonic Major and F Major?
On F, F Harmonic Major has D♭ where F Major has D; every other note is shared with F Major (F G A B♭ C D E).
How do I practise the F 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.