BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
61 / 18210 · Module 3 — Minor Scales, Relative Keys, and Why Minor Harmony Behaves Differently← prev⊞ allnext →

3.8Harmonic minor

Take natural minor:

A B C D E F G A

A B C D E F G A

Raise degree 7:

G → G♯

G → G♯

Now:

A B C D E F G♯ A

A B C D E F G♯ A

This is A harmonic minor.

Formula:

1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7

Notice the natural 7.

The point is primarily harmonic:

Raising the seventh creates a leading tone that strongly resolves to the tonic.