G♭ 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 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 |
| Chords in the key | G♭A♭°B♭mC♭mD♭E𝄫+F° |
Chords in the G♭ Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♭ Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♭ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (G♭, A♭, B♭ and D♭) and three white. C♭ and E𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call B and D.
G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E𝄫 · F
Try G♭ Harmonic Major on the virtual piano
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G♭ Harmonic Major on the guitar
G♭ Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
G♭ Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the G♭ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♭ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | B♭ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | C♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | D♭ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | E𝄫 | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | F | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes G♭ 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 G♭, G♭ Harmonic Major has E𝄫 where G♭ Major has E♭; every other note is shared with G♭ Major (G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F).
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. 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 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.
Where you will hear G♭ Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for G♭ 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 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 you play the G♭ Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano G♭ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (G♭, A♭, B♭ and D♭) and three white. C♭ and E𝄫 are the white keys you'd normally call B and D.
What is the difference between G♭ Harmonic Major and G♭ Major?
On G♭, G♭ Harmonic Major has E𝄫 where G♭ Major has E♭; every other note is shared with G♭ Major (G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ D♭ E♭ F).
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.