A Harmonic Minor Scale: Notes, Chords, and How to Play It

The A harmonic minor scale is the most commonly referenced harmonic minor scale, just as A natural minor is the starting point for learning minor keys. It differs from A natural minor by a single note — the seventh degree is raised from G to G♯ — but that one alteration transforms the scale’s harmony and melodic character entirely. The raised seventh creates a leading tone, a major V chord, and the distinctive augmented second that gives harmonic minor its dramatic, almost exotic sound.

Notes of the A Harmonic Minor Scale

The A harmonic minor scale contains seven notes:

A – B – C – D – E – F – G♯

It follows the harmonic minor interval pattern — W–H–W–W–H–3H–H — where 3H represents the augmented second (three half steps) between the sixth and seventh degrees. This interval is the scale’s defining feature, giving it a sound often associated with classical music, flamenco, metal, and film scores.

Compared to A natural minor (A–B–C–D–E–F–G), only one note changes: G becomes G♯. That single alteration raises the seventh degree from a minor 7th to a major 7th, creating the half-step pull from G♯ to A that defines tonal resolution in minor keys. For a broader look at how the three minor scale types relate, see Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic.

A Harmonic Minor on Piano

On the piano, A harmonic minor is nearly all white keys — only G♯ is black. This makes it an excellent starting point for learning harmonic minor fingerings because the hand position is almost identical to A natural minor.

Right hand fingering (ascending): 1 – 2 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 (thumb crosses under after C, then fingers walk up to A)

Left hand fingering (ascending): 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 3 – 2 – 1 (after the thumb plays E, the third finger crosses over to F)

Pay special attention to the stretch between F and G♯ — the augmented second feels wider under the fingers than a normal whole step. Practise this interval slowly until it feels natural, as it is the physical signature of the harmonic minor scale on any keyboard instrument.

A Harmonic Minor on Guitar

On guitar, the A harmonic minor scale is commonly played starting from the open A string (5th string) or at the 5th fret of the 6th string. The augmented second between F and G♯ creates a distinctive stretch on the fretboard.

Open position (low to high):

The four-fret stretch from F (1st fret) to G♯ (4th fret) on any single string is the augmented second made physical. Many guitarists find this interval challenging at first but rewarding once mastered — it is the same interval that gives flamenco and neoclassical metal their intensity.

Use the guitar fretboard view in the Interactive Chord Finder to see all positions at once.

Diatonic Chords in A Harmonic Minor

Building triads on each degree of the A harmonic minor scale produces a unique set of chord qualities — different from both major and natural minor:

The pattern minor – diminished – augmented – minor – major – major – diminished is unique to harmonic minor. Two features stand out immediately:

1. The V chord is major (E major, not E minor). This is the entire reason harmonic minor exists — the raised G♯ turns the v chord into a V chord, creating the strong dominant-to-tonic resolution (E–Am) that defines classical harmony.

2. The III chord is augmented (Caug). This unusual chord quality arises from the augmented second in the scale and gives harmonic minor harmony its distinctive colour.

For more on how diatonic chords are constructed, see Diatonic Chords: A Beginner’s Guide.

Seventh Chords

Adding a fourth note to each triad creates seventh chords with rich, dramatic qualities:

The V7 chord (E7) is a dominant seventh — the same chord type that drives resolution in major keys. The imMaj7 (Am(maj7)) is the minor-major seventh chord, a tense, haunting sound heard in James Bond themes and film noir scores. The vii°7 (G♯dim7) is a fully diminished seventh chord, which can resolve in multiple directions. For more on seventh chords, see Seventh Chords: The Complete Guide.

Common Chord Progressions in A Harmonic Minor

These progressions exploit the raised seventh degree to create strong resolution to the tonic:

The V–i cadence (E–Am) is the harmonic engine of this scale. In natural minor, the v–i cadence (Em–Am) lacks the tension of a leading tone. By raising G to G♯, harmonic minor provides that tension, making cadences feel decisive and final.

Music That Uses A Harmonic Minor

A harmonic minor appears across a wide range of genres, often in music that demands drama, tension, or an exotic flavour:

• “Für Elise” – Beethoven (the opening theme)
• “Hava Nagila” – traditional Jewish melody
• “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” – Led Zeppelin
• “Highway Star” (organ solo) – Deep Purple
• “Phantom of the Opera” – Andrew Lloyd Webber
• “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits (passages)
• “Paganini’s Caprice No. 24” – Niccolò Paganini

Listen for the pull of G♯ resolving up to A and the distinctive leap across the augmented second (F to G♯). Once you recognise this sound, you will hear it everywhere from Bach fugues to modern metal solos.

Relationship to Other Minor Scales

A harmonic minor sits between the natural minor and the melodic minor, each differing by a single note:

The natural minor has a pure, folk-like minor sound but lacks a strong dominant chord. The harmonic minor solves this by raising the seventh, but introduces the augmented second. The melodic minor raises both the sixth and seventh to smooth out that gap. Together, these three scales form the complete toolkit for working in minor keys.

Practice Tips

Start from A natural minor. If you already know A natural minor, simply raise the G to G♯ and you have harmonic minor. This one-note change is the fastest way to learn the scale.

Isolate the augmented second. Practise the F to G♯ interval repeatedly — ascending and descending — until it feels as natural as any other step. This interval is the scale’s character, and owning it physically is essential.

Practise the V–i cadence. Play E major resolving to A minor over and over. Then try E7 to Am. Feel the pull of G♯ resolving to A. This cadence is the entire harmonic justification for the scale.

Compare with natural minor. Play A natural minor, then A harmonic minor, listening for the moment G♯ appears. The raised seventh changes everything — the mood shifts from reflective to dramatic in an instant.

Use a metronome. The augmented second can cause uneven timing, especially on guitar. Start at 60 BPM and only increase speed when every note is clean and the rhythm is steady.

Try It Yourself

Open the Interactive Chord Finder, select A as the root and Harmonic Minor as the scale. You will see every note highlighted on the piano keyboard or guitar fretboard, the step pattern visualised as intervals, and all diatonic chords laid out — ready to play and explore.

For the complete list of scales in every key, see Scales for Piano and Guitar: The Complete Reference Guide.