C harmonic minor scale on piano
The C harmonic minor scale on piano has 7 notes: C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat, and B (C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B). It uses 2 black keys: E♭, A♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5; left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
- C 1
- D 2
- E♭ E flat ♭3
- F 4
- G 5
- A♭ A flat ♭6
- B 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C harmonic minor scale
| Note | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A♭ | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 · Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
- 1½W
- B
- H
- C
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7. Steps: W – H – W – W – H – 1½W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the harmonic minor scale
Minor with a major seventh, which creates the leading tone and the dominant chord. Dramatic, with an "Eastern" flavour between the 6th and 7th.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | Cm | Cm(7M) | tonic |
| II° | D° | Dm7(b5) | subdominant |
| III+ | E♭+ | E♭7M(#5) | tonic |
| IVm | Fm | Fm7 | subdominant |
| V | G | G7 | dominant |
| VI | A♭ | A♭7M | subdominant |
| VII° | B° | B°7 | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More C scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Harmonic minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C harmonic minor scale?
The notes of the C harmonic minor scale are C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat, and B. It uses 2 black keys: E♭, A♭.
What is the fingering for the C harmonic minor scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Over two octaves: right hand 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
What is the formula of the C harmonic minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – 1½W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the C harmonic minor scale?
The chords of the key are Cm, D°, E♭+, Fm, G, A♭, B°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.