B Harmonic Minor Scale
B harmonic minor runs B, C sharp, D, E, F sharp, G, A sharp and back to B. It differs from B natural minor by one note: A becomes A sharp. That raised seventh brings the last step to B down from a whole step to a half step.
- Notes: B-C sharp-D-E-F sharp-G-A sharp
- Changed note: A sharp
- Key signature: two sharps
What does the raised seventh do?
B natural minor has A natural. Raise it to A sharp and the fifth chord changes from F sharp-A-C sharp, or F sharp minor, to F sharp-A sharp-C sharp, or F sharp major. Play F sharp minor-Bm, then F sharp major-Bm. The A sharp in the second version sits one key below B.
G to A sharp spans three semitones, the augmented second in this scale. Play F sharp-G-A sharp-B slowly to hear the large gap followed by the small one.
How is it written?
B minor's key signature has F sharp and C sharp. A sharp is marked as an accidental in the music when the raised seventh is needed. The two-sharp signature remains. Music in B minor can use A natural in one phrase and A sharp in another.
Put it to work
Play B-D-F sharp as a chord. Above it play A-B, then A sharp-B, with the same rhythm. Next play F sharp-A sharp-C sharp and resolve it to B-D-F sharp. You can now hear the melodic and harmonic jobs of the same changed note.