Skip to content
7-day free trial

C harmonic minor Scale on Piano

C D E♭ F G A♭ B W H W W H W+H H 7 notes

Notes and steps

The notes of the C harmonic minor scale

Formula in degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7.

C harmonic minor scale: C D E♭ F G A♭ B, steps W H W W H W+H HCDFGBCE♭A♭WHWWHW+HH
C D E♭ F G A♭ B - the arcs give each step: W a whole step (two half steps), H a half step.
Fingering

How to finger it

Right hand, going up 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5Left hand, going up 5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1

Going down, play the same fingers in reverse order. The thumb passes under (or the finger crosses over) at the change in the numbers, never on a black key.

Harmony

Chords that fit the C harmonic minor scale

Every chord built on a note of the scale whose notes all belong to it - the chords to accompany a melody in it.

Same tonic

Other scales on C

Learn and practise

Questions

Frequently asked

What notes are in the C harmonic minor scale?

Going up: C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B, then C again.

What is the formula of the harmonic minor scale?

In whole (W) and half (H) steps: W H W W H W+H H. In degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7.

Which chords go with the C harmonic minor scale?

Chords whose notes all belong to it: Cm, Csus2, Csus4, Ddim, E♭aug, Fm, Fdim, Fm7, Fsus2, G.

Play it for real

Hold it, record it, build a song on it

The GOONS piano studio has up to 88 keys, real piano samples, MIDI keyboard support, chord pads in any key and a sequencer. It comes with the GOONS Studio subscription - start with the 7-day free trial, no card required.

Start the 7-day free trial Open C harmonic minor in the studio