We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Instrumental

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Harmonic Scale?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,209
Share

The harmonic scale is a musical scale that follows a specific tonal pattern. Like most major musical scales, the harmonic contains seven notes and repeats every octave. While it is less used in musical composition than the diatonic scale, the major and minor versions of the harmonic scale are seen in jazz, some pieces of the 16th-19th century, and occasionally to mimic a Middle Eastern scale.

In music, a major scale consists of a seven notes that follow a specific pattern of whole and half step increases in pitch. A diatonic major scale’s pattern is two whole steps, one half step, three whole steps, one half step. In the key of C the sequence involves no sharp or flat notes. This key is easy to play on a piano, as they are laid out to match a C major scale exactly. A major harmonic scale is nearly identical, with the only difference being that the sixth note is flattened by one half step.

A minor scale is essentially a major scale with the third note flattened by one half step. Consequently, the harmonic minor has both the third and sixth step flattened. This scale is particularly disturbing to those only used to hearing the diatonic major and minor scales common in Western music. The harmonic minor scale is also called the Mohammedan scale, as it is similar to a popular scale in music of the Middle East. Because most Eastern music involves quartertones, which Western instruments cannot be tuned to, the harmonic minor is one of the only scales that can be mimicked in Western music.

If you are used to Western music and are not a trained musician, the harmonic scale can sound very off-putting at first. It is difficult to play as chords on the guitar, as it requires a major shift in chord structure halfway through the scale. It can also be tricky for vocalists, as the flattened sixth note is a highly unusual component of most vocal music.

Emotively, harmonic scales are generally said to evoke sadness or eeriness. Harmonic minors are often used to augment the harmony component of minor chords, although a diatonic minor is used to create the melody. Musical experts usually refer to the harmonic scale as having a strong or intense sound. With few exceptions, the harmonic scale is not generally sustained throughout an entire piece of music, but used rather for emphasis. For composers, the harmonic scale allows nuance and texture to be added to a piece, to draw attention to specific musical themes.

Share
Musical Expert is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for Musical Expert. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.
Discussion Comments
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.musicalexpert.org/what-is-a-harmonic-scale.htm
Copy this link
Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Musical Expert, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.