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Piano scale

G Harmonic Minor Scale

The G Harmonic Minor Scale has 7 notes: G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F♯.

  1. G
    1
  2. A
    2
  3. B♭
    3
  4. C
    4
  5. D
    5
  6. E♭
    6
  7. F♯
    7

Notes of the G Harmonic Minor Scale

DegreeNotesIntervalsFormula
1GRoot1
2AMajor 2nd2
3B♭Minor 3rd♭3
4CPerfect 4th4
5DPerfect 5th5
6E♭Minor 6th♭6
7F♯Major 7th7

Step pattern

W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H

From the root to the octave the scale moves in this pattern: W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H.

W = whole step (2 semitones), H = half step (1 semitone), W+H = 3 semitones

Sound and character

Raise the 7th of natural minor by one semitone and you create an exotic, dramatic leap. The sound of classical music and Middle Eastern melody.

Sound: Dramatic & exotic

Chords in the G Harmonic Minor Scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree to get its chords.

DegreeTriads7th chords
iGmGm(maj7)
ii°AdimAm7♭5
III+B♭aug—
ivCmCm7
VDD7
VIE♭E♭maj7
vii°F♯dimF♯dim7

How to use it

The raised 7th creates the major V chord that pulls back to the minor tonic — this is the scale behind most classical pieces in minor keys.

Chords, key signature and progressions: G Minor key

Songs that use it

  • Smooth Criminal · Michael Jackson
    Pop
  • The Unforgiven · Metallica
    Metal
  • Hava Nagila · Traditional
    Folk

Play the G Harmonic Minor Scale with different sounds in the interactive builder.

Open in the chord builder

Practising on an acoustic piano that sounds off?

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