Before going further, we’ll name the seven modes of the harmonic minor system. For example, a chord made of a Root, minor 3rd, 5th and minor 7th will fit the fourth mode. The previous formulas will help us match the modes with their corresponding chords. Root - min 2nd - min 3rd - dim 4th - dim 5th - min 6th - dim 7th Root - aug 2nd - Maj 3rd - aug 4th - 5th - Maj 6th - Maj 7th Root - min 2nd - Maj 3rd - 4th - 5th - min 6th - min 7th Root - Maj 2nd - min 3rd - aug 4th - 5th - Maj 6th - min 7th Root - Maj 2nd - Maj 3rd - 4th - aug 5th - Maj 6th - Maj 7th Root - min 2nd - min 3rd - 4th - dim 5th - Maj 6th - min 7th Root - Maj 2nd - min 3rd - 4th - 5th - min 6th - Maj 7th
You are right, to really differentiate these scales from one another we need to consider their formula as follow: If you are new to modes, you might be wondering why bother with the previous demonstration as all the scales written use the same notes. If we follow the same logic we get seven modes each starting with one of the seven notes of the original harmonic minor scale: The previous scale is the second mode found in the harmonic mode system. Let’s now play the same exact notes starting from the B note: About Modes and Systemsīefore moving forward, it’s important to understand how modes fit in a system (church modes, harmonic minor modes, melodic minor modes, etc.) This also explains why it is often possible to borrow a mode from the harmonic minor family to phrase over a chord progression that would normally call for a church mode.
This will explain the similarities you will find in the names of the harmonic minor modes and the church modes. It is important to realize that only one note differs from both scales. It is minor in the natural minor scale (Aeolian). The 7th is Major in the harmonic minor scale. Only the 7th changes between both scales. Root - Major 2nd - min 3rd - 4th - 5th - min 6th - minor 7th Notice how that scale is very similar to the natural minor scale (Aeolian): Here is how that scale can be played in its first position starting from an A note: Root - Major 2nd - min 3rd - 4th - 5th - min 6th - Major 7th Let’s take a look at the formula of the harmonic minor scale: As you would have guessed, the harmonic minor mode is a minor scale: it has a minor third.
Harmonic Minor Scaleīefore talking about all the modes that are part of the harmonic minor scale, let’s discuss and define the scale from which all these modes are extracted.
C minor harmonic how to#
This article will help you understand the logic behind their names and give you an insight on how to use these exotic scales in your music. The problem lies in the fact that those modes can have more than one name. You might be confused about their use and about their names.
The Scales who use double-flats in the key signature (Db Minor, Gb Minor) are just Theoretical Scales.If you’ve been playing modal for a while, you probably have heard about the harmonic minor modes. That's mean that the sounds who build up the scales are identical in sound/pitch, but have a different spelling.ĭouble-flats and double-sharps are often used as accidentals but placing them in the key signature makes the music generally very hard to read. * These two Scales are enharmonically equivalent to one another. You will find bellow the illustrations of all Harmonic Minor Scales with fingering for each scale and the name of the notes which build them up. Harmonic Minor Scale is it also known as the Aeolian #7 scale. Whole(T) - Half(ST) - Whole(T) - Whole(T) - Half(ST) - A2(T+ST) - Half(ST) The sequence of spaces between the notes of a minor scale is: There will be also an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees. This change creates a Major 7th between first degree (Tonic) and the seventh degree (Subtonic in Natural pattern) which becomes Leading Tone in harmonic The harmonic minor scale has the same notes as the natural minor scale, except that the seventh degree is raised by one Semitone (half). In contrast to Major Scales, Minor scales come in three patterns: