stringery

C♯ harmonic minor

Minor with a raised 7th: classical, gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal. Diminished & augmented family

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position2 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the major 7th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. C♯RW
  2. D♯2H
  3. E♭3W
  4. F♯4W
  5. G♯5H
  6. A♭61½
  7. B♯7H

Raising the 7th leaves a wide gap after the flat 6th. That leap is the instantly recognisable 'exotic' sound.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckC♯ harmonic minor

12345GCEA5710125♭67R2♭347R2♭345♭67♭345♭67R2♭3♭67R2♭345♭6
12345GCEA5710125♭67R2♭347R2♭345♭67♭345♭67R2♭3♭67R2♭345♭6

Position 2 is outlined, frets 1 to 4. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The C♯ harmonic minor key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. C♯mi
  2. D♯dimii°
  3. EaugIII+
  4. F♯miv
  5. G♯V
  6. AVI
  7. B♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C♯ minor

    Natural minor: the same scale with a flat 7th.