G♭ Harmonic Major scale
The G♭ Harmonic Major scale is a 7-note harmonic major scale built on the root G♭. Its notes are G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E𝄫 and F. 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 G♭ 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 G♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E𝄫 · F
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M
- Step pattern
- W W H W H W+H H
- Tonic
- G♭
G♭ Harmonic Major on the piano
G♭ Harmonic Major on the guitar
G♭ Harmonic Major on the staff
Hear the G♭ Harmonic Major scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the G♭ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | B♭(Bb) | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | C♭(Cb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | D♭(Db) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | E𝄫(Ebb) | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | F |
Diatonic chords of G♭ 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 G♭ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of G♭ Harmonic Major are: I = G♭, ii° = A♭°, iii = B♭m, iv = C♭m, V = D♭, VI+ = E𝄫+, vii° = F°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♭ 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 G♭ Harmonic Major
G♭ 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 G♭ 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 G♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- The G♭ Harmonic Major scale contains G♭, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E𝄫 and F.
- What is the formula for the G♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- G♭ Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
- Is G♭ Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
- G♭ 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 G♭ Harmonic Major scale?
- The diatonic chords of G♭ Harmonic Major are G♭, A♭°, B♭m, C♭m, D♭, E𝄫+, F°.
- Which genres use G♭ 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 G♭ 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.