Harmonic Major is a very unique scale that is often overlooked and just very uncommon. It creates a very interesting and dramatic sound that can be used in different ways that can bring a fresh sound to your playing. It is one of those scales that can break you out of a rut or writers block! Let’s take a look at the construction of the C Harmonic Major scale in comparison to the Major Scale :
C Major Scale – C D E F G A B
C Harmonic Major Scale – C D E F G Ab B
As you can see, there is only one subtle difference between the two. The 6th note is flattened by a half step from A to Ab. That subtle change makes such a massive difference in the sound and feel of the scale as well as the chord harmony.
Lets take a look at the chord qualities of both scales when harmonized.
C Major – C Major – D minor – E minor – F Major – G Major – A minor – B Diminished
C Harmonic Major – C major – D Diminished – E minor – F minor – Ab Diminished – B Diminished
So you can see that in the harmonic major scale we get a few different chord types that we don’t see in the regular major scale. D diminished, F minor, Ab diminished, and B diminished. That iv minor chord is a key element to me in this sound of this scale along with the diminished ii, vi, and vii. You can imagine the very cool and interesting chord progressions you can come up with using this scale! In the video above, I am playing over a backing track using all the chords in this scale and using the scale to write the solo. The progression in the track is:
C – Ddim – Em – Ddim
C – Ddim – Em – Fm
C – Dim – Em – Ddim
C – Ddim – Fm – G
Definitely take some time to study this scale and explore the chord progressions and start writing some cool music with it!!!