Harmonic minor is a variant of the normal, commonly used minor scale. It is created by a small change to the natural minor scale: the 7th note is raised by a semitone. This raised note makes the scale more “harmonic,” because it fits better with traditional chord building, especially in functional harmony.
Even simple children’s songs and folk songs make use of this technique. And it makes the “homecoming” to the tonic sound more convincing. But first, let’s look at the theoretical facts:
How the Harmonic Minor Scale Is Built
Let’s take the A minor scale as an example (natural minor, also called Aeolian):
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – A
In harmonic minor, the 7th note, G, is raised to G#:
A – B – C – D – E – F – G# – A
This creates a characteristic leap of 1.5 tones (an augmented second) between the 6th note (F) and the 7th note (G#). If you also raise the 6th note, you get the melodic minor scale, which smooths out this leap.
Difference from Natural Minor
- Natural minor stays unchanged and has no raised 7th note. As a result, it often lacks a clear pull toward the root note (A).
- Harmonic minor adds strong tension with the raised 7th note (G#). This note creates a major dominant chord built from the scale’s own notes (E – G# – B) that leads to the root note A, which supports the classic cadence.
The Difference in Sound
- Natural minor often sounds soft, melancholic or “open.”
- Harmonic minor has an oriental or exotic-sounding character because of the leap of 1.5 tones.
Song Examples with Harmonic Minor
- “Habanera” from the opera Carmen (Bizet)
The exotic sound of the harmonic minor scale shapes the melody. - “Für Elise” (Beethoven)
Passages in harmonic minor appear in the second half. - “Scarborough Fair” (traditional)
Has moments that resemble harmonic minor.
Of course, this list could go on and on.
You can simply play these chords on the piano:
Am – Dm – Em – Am
That is nothing other than Im – IVm – Vm – Im, so we are in a “normal” minor context. As soon as we play
Am – Dm – E7 – Am
instead, the sound changes immediately. Just try it out and listen 🙂
Functional Harmony Behind Harmonic Minor
Functional harmony is based on the primary chords (tonic, dominant, subdominant). Harmonic minor solves a problem of natural minor: in natural minor, the dominant (e.g. E – G – B in A minor) has no leading tone that pulls strongly enough toward the tonic (A).
The G# in harmonic minor creates a clear dominant seventh chord (E – G# – B – D), which allows a strong resolution to the tonic.
Typical Chords in Harmonic Minor
- Tonic (A minor): A – C – E
- Dominant (E major): E – G# – B
- Dominant seventh chord (E7): E – G# – B – D
- Subdominant (D minor): D – F – A
The G# creates stronger tension in the dominant, which then resolves to the tonic.
Why Is Harmonic Minor Used?
- Clearer cadences: Harmonic minor makes “classical” chord progressions possible, which are often perceived as satisfying in Western music.
- A sound full of character: The leap between the 6th and 7th notes creates a special mood that is used in many musical styles, e.g. in classical music, flamenco and film music.
The standard chord progression in flamenco is
Am – G – F – E7
As soon as you hear this sound, you’ll automatically think of this music – just from the harmonic context alone.