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E harmonic minor scale

The E harmonic minor scale is made of the notes E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D♯. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.

Minor · 7 notes

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

PatternW – H – W – W – H – W+H – H(W = whole step, H = half step)

Three variants with a minor third: natural, harmonic (raised seventh) and melodic (raised sixth and seventh). Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

The natural minor with the 7th raised by a half step: this creates the leading tone, which pulls strongly to the tonic, and makes the dominant chord major. Between the 6th and 7th there is a step and a half (augmented second) with an Eastern flavour.

Used overEm(maj7)EmEsus4

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Chords built on the scale

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the E harmonic minor scale?
The notes are E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D♯.
What is the pattern of the E harmonic minor scale?
The sequence of steps is W – H – W – W – H – W+H – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7.
Which chords is the E harmonic minor scale used over?
It is used over Em(maj7), Em, Esus4: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.