C Harmonic Minor Scale
C harmonic minor runs C, D, E flat, F, G, A flat, B and back to C. C natural minor has B flat; raising it to B natural makes the final approach to C a half step. It also changes the chord on G from minor to major.
- Notes: C-D-E flat-F-G-A flat-B
- Raised seventh: B natural
- Key signature: three flats
What changed from C natural minor?
C natural minor is C-D-E flat-F-G-A flat-B flat-C. C harmonic minor replaces only B flat with B natural. The sixth note stays A flat, leaving a three-semitone gap from A flat to B. In written theory that gap is an augmented second.
Play G-A flat-B-C slowly. A flat-B is the unusual leap; B-C is the tight half-step ending. You can hear both effects without needing to call the entire scale mysterious or exotic.
Why does the seventh rise?
In natural C minor, the chord on G is G-B flat-D, or G minor. With B natural, it becomes G-B-D, or G major. Add F and it becomes G7. Play Gm-Cm, then G7-Cm. Listen for B moving to C and F moving toward E flat in the second pair.
This is a common reason to raise the seventh in a minor key. It does not mean every melody in C minor uses B natural throughout. The Minor Scales page compares how natural, harmonic and melodic forms can appear in the same piece.
Why does its key signature still have three flats?
C minor has B flat, E flat and A flat in its key signature. Harmonic minor's B natural is usually marked with a natural sign beside individual notes. The score remains in C minor; there is no separate standard key signature that permanently swaps its B flat for B natural.
Try a two-note change
Play C-E flat-G as a chord. Above it, play B flat-C, then B-C. Both phrases finish on the same C-minor harmony. The second approach is one piano key closer to its destination. Harmonic Minor shows the pattern from other roots.