Minor Variants
Harmonic Minor Scale
A natural minor scale with a raised 7th degree. Creates a distinctive augmented 2nd interval and a strong leading tone pull back to the root.
Hear the Harmonic Minor Scale
How to Identify It
Has an exotic, slightly Middle-Eastern or classical sound due to the augmented 2nd between the 6th and 7th degrees. Very distinctive once you know it.
Famous Examples
- Miserlou (Pulp Fiction theme) — Dick Dale
- Hava Nagila — traditional
- Classical violin concertos — Bach, Mozart
Harmonic Minor in All 12 Keys
Often Confused With
About the Harmonic Minor Scale
The harmonic minor scale is a minor variants scale built from the interval pattern 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 1 (in whole and half steps). A natural minor scale with a raised 7th degree. Creates a distinctive augmented 2nd interval and a strong leading tone pull back to the root.
To recognise the harmonic minor scale reliably by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — exotic, tense, dramatic, classical. Use the player above to hear it in all 12 keys, and the recognition trainer to test yourself against a mixed set of scales.