Harmonic minor scales for the piano are formed by lowering the 3rd and 6th tones (notes) of a major scale a half step. This will give you the following sequence of whole steps and half steps: Whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step plus a half step, half step. As you can see, this minor piano scale is different from the other minor scales in that it has a whole step plus another half step between the 6th and 7th tones (notes) of the scale. Therefore the tones (notes) in a C harmonic minor scale would be; C, D, D#/Eb, F, G, G#/Ab, B, and C (octave).
If you look at our piano keyboard graphic and use the C harmonic minor scale example you get the following sequence of whole steps and half steps. C to D is a whole step, D to D#/Eb is a half step (moving to the next key with no keys in between), D#/Eb to F is a whole step (there are no keys between E and F so this is a half step), F to G is a whole step, G to G#/Ab is a half step (moving from the black key to the white key immediately adjacent (next) to G#/Ab), G#/Ab to B is our whole step plus another half step (one and a half steps), and we finish with B to C octave, half step.
Let’s do another example this time beginning with A#/Bb. The tones (notes) would be; A#/Bb, C, C#/Db, D#/Eb, F, F#/Gb, A, A#/Bb (octave). A#/Bb to C is a whole step (remember from B to C is a half step because there is no key between them), C to C#/Db is a half step (moving to the immediately adjacent key to C), C#/Db to D#/Eb is a whole step, D#/Eb to F is a whole step (E to F is a half step because there is no key between them), F to F#/Gb is a half step (moving from the white key to the black key immediately adjacent (next) to F), F#/Gb to A is our whole step plus another half step (one and a half steps), and we finish with A to A#/Bb octave, half step.
If you would like to see these scales in all 12 keys click on harmonic minor scales and you will be transported to our “virtual piano keyboard”. Just pick a key (C, D, F#/Gb, etc) and click harmonic minor scale and the notes will appear on the keyboard.
Practice these scales with both hands until you can move smoothly (not necessarily quickly) from beginning to end and back again in all 12 keys. When you practice your scales, I want you to use the fingering technique I have outlined here, scale fingering technique. This technique works with major and minor piano scales and will help with your finger dexterity and control. Now…Go Practice!
Major Scales – Rules for constructing major scales for the piano.
Natural Minor Scales – Rules for constructing natural minor scales for the piano.
Melodic Minor Scales – Rules for constructing melodic minor scales for the piano.