Bb Harmonic Minor Scale
- Notes
- Bb C Db Eb F Gb A
- Degrees
- 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7
Character
The natural minor with the 7th raised a half step. There is a clear reason for raising that one note — it produces a dominant seventh chord on the V.
In natural minor the V is a minor seventh, which pulls only weakly back to the root. Raise the 7th and the V becomes dominant, giving a minor key the same decisive resolution major has. This is why classical music in minor keys reaches for this scale.
The cost is that the gap between the 6th and 7th widens to three half steps. That interval, wider than a whole step, produces the characteristic exotic colour — and is also why neoclassical metal favours the scale.
A diminished seventh appears on the 7th degree. That chord can move in any direction, which makes it a useful pivot when changing key.
Diatonic chords in this key
Seventh chords built on each scale note, using only notes from the scale. These do not clash with one another, so they are the reference set when you build a progression.
| Degree | Position | Chord |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | imaj7 | Bbm(maj7) |
| 2 | ii°7 | Cm7♭5 |
| b3 | III+maj7 | Dbmaj7♯5 |
| 4 | iv7 | Ebm7 |
| 5 | V7 | F7 |
| b6 | VImaj7 | Gbmaj7 |
| 7 | vii°7 | A°7 |
Practice
Alternate with the natural minor and listen only to the 7th. One note apart, entirely different character.
The wide jump from the 6th to the 7th feels awkward under the hand. Drill just those two notes; everything else is the same as minor.
The most common practical approach is to use this scale over the V chord and return to natural minor on the i.