{"id":14397,"date":"2016-10-03T00:00:59","date_gmt":"2016-10-03T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hearandplay.com\/main\/?p=14397"},"modified":"2024-10-07T15:36:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T23:36:29","slug":"scale-degree-seventh-chords-of-the-harmonic-minor-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearplaymain.wpenginepowered.com\/scale-degree-seventh-chords-of-the-harmonic-minor-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"Scale Degree Seventh Chords Of The Harmonic Minor Scale"},"content":{"rendered":"

In today’s lesson, I’ll be showing you the scale degree seventh chords of the harmonic minor scale.<\/p>\n

The harmonic minor scale<\/a> is a chromatic<\/a> variant of the natural minor scale<\/a> and it is important that we cover its scale degree seventh chords the same way we’ve covered the scale degree seventh chords of the natural major scale<\/a> so that we can find some other interesting seventh chord qualities that we may not necessarily find in the natural major scale<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before we get started in this lesson, let’s take a look at the harmonic minor scale.<\/p>\n

A Quick Review On The Harmonic Minor Scale<\/h2>\n

One of the easiest harmonic minor scale to play on the keyboard is the A harmonic minor scale. Due to the fact that the harmonic minor scale is a chromatic variant of the natural minor scale, if you’re familiar with the A natural minor scale:
\n
\n…raising its seventh degree (which is G):
\n
\n…by a half step (to G#):
\n
\n…produces the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nOne of the reasons why the seventh degree of the harmonic minor scale is raised is to create the leading note feeling<\/a> which exists when the interval between the seventh and eight tone of any given scale is a half step.<\/p>\n

So raising G:
\n
\n…by a half step (to G#):
\n
\n…produces the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nFollowing the same procedure, you can form the harmonic minor scale in all twelve keys by raising the seventh degree of the natural minor scale (for leading note reasons.)<\/p>\n

“Here’s Another Example…”<\/em><\/p>\n

Raising the seventh degree of the D natural minor scale:
\n
\n…which is C:
\n
\n…by a half step (to C#):
\n
\n…produces the D harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n“Here’s The Harmonic Minor Scale In All Twelve Keys…”<\/em><\/p>\n

C harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nC# harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nD harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nEb harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nE harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nF harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nF# harmonic minor scale:
\nG harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nAb harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nA harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nBb harmonic minor scale:
\n
\nB harmonic minor scale:
\n<\/p>\n

Scale Degree Chords Of The Harmonic Minor Scale<\/h2>\n

We’ll be learning the scale degree seventh chords of the harmonic minor scale now that we’ve covered the harmonic minor scale in all twelve keys.<\/p>\n

“Pay Attention…”<\/em><\/p>\n

The underlying scale for our chord formation in this segment is the A harmonic minor scale:
\n<\/p>\n

Right before we delve into the formation of seventh chords, let me throw more light on what seventh chords are.<\/p>\n

A seventh chord is basically a chord that encompasses seven degrees of a given scale (which is the harmonic minor scale in this case.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this context, we can say that a seventh chord is a chord that encompasses the seven degrees of the harmonic minor scale.<\/p>\n

Due to the fact that we’re focusing on a class of seventh chords that are structured in third intervals<\/a>, which are known to music scholars as tertian chords<\/a>, we’ll be stacking notes together in third intervals until seven degrees of a scale is encompassed.<\/p>\n

“Check It Out…”<\/em><\/p>\n

Using the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…let’s form the chord of the first degree.<\/p>\n

A third from A:
\n
\n…is C:
\n
\n…a third from A-C:
\n
\n…is E:
\n
\n…a third from A-C-E:
\n
\n…G#:
\n
\nAltogether, we have A, C, E, and G#:
\n
\n…which for all intents and purposes is a seventh chord, encompassing seven degrees of the A harmonic minor scale from A to G#:
\n<\/p>\n

The seventh chord formed:
\n
\n…can be broken down to the A minor triad<\/a>:
\n
\n…and an A major seventh interval:
\n
\n…known as the minor major seventh chord<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The minor quality is derived from the third tone (which is C):
\n
\n…while the major quality is derived from the seventh tone (which is G#):
\n<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading: <\/strong>Minor Major Seventh Chords.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Scale Degree Seventh Chord Of The Second Degree<\/h3>\n

The second scale degree seventh chord in the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from B:
\n
\nA third from B:
\n
\n…is D:
\n
\nA third from B-D:
\n
\n…is F:
\n
\nA third from B-D-F:
\n
\n…is A:
\n
\nAltogether, that’s the B half-diminished seventh chord<\/a>, consisting of the B diminished triad<\/a>:
\n
\n…and a B minor seventh interval:
\n<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, the second scale degree seventh chord of the A harmonic minor scale is the B half-diminished seventh chord:
\n<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading: <\/strong>Half-diminished Seventh Chords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Scale Degree Seventh Chord Of The Third Degree<\/h3>\n

The third scale degree seventh chord from the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from C:
\n
\nA third from C:
\n
\n…is E:
\n
\nA third from C-E:
\n
\n…is G#:
\n
\nA third from C-E-G#:
\n
\n…is B:
\n<\/p>\n

Altogether, the chord formed is the C augmented major seventh chord<\/a>:
\n
\n…which can be broken down into a C augmented triad:<\/p>\n

…and a C major seventh interval:
\n<\/p>\n

So, the third scale degree seventh chord of the A harmonic minor scale is the C augmented major seventh chord.<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading: <\/strong>Augmented Major Seventh Chords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chord Of The Fourth Degree<\/h3>\n

The fourth scale degree seventh chord from the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from D:
\n
\nA third from D:
\n
\n…is F:
\n
\nA third from D-F:
\n
\n…is A:
\n
\nA third from D-F-A:
\n
\n…is C:
\n
\nIn a nutshell, the fourth scale degree seventh chord of the A harmonic minor scale is the D minor seventh chord<\/a>:
\n<\/p>\n

…which can be broken down into a D minor triad<\/a>:
\n
\n…and a D minor seventh interval:
\n<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, the seventh chord of the fourth scale degree of the A harmonic minor scale is the D minor seventh<\/p>\n

chord:
\n<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading: <\/strong>Minor Seventh Chords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chord Of The Fifth Degree<\/h3>\n

The fifth scale degree seventh chord from the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from E:
\n
\nA third from E:
\n
\n…is G#:
\n
\nA third from E-G#:
\n
\n…is B:
\n
\nA third from E-G#-B:
\n
\n…is D:
\n
\nSo, the fifth scale degree seventh chord of the harmonic minor scale is the E dominant seventh chord<\/a>:
\n<\/p>\n

This scale degree seventh chord can be broken down into the E major triad:
\n
\n…and an E minor seventh interval:
\n
\n…respectively.<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading:<\/strong> Dominant Seventh Chords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chord Of The Sixth Degree<\/h3>\n

The sixth scale degree seventh chord from the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from F:
\n
\nA third from F:
\n
\n…is A:
\n
\nA third from F-A:
\n
\n…is C:
\n
\nA third from F-A-C:
\n
\n…is E:
\n
\nAltogether, the sixth scale degree seventh chord of the harmonic minor scale is the F major seventh chord:
\n
\n…which can be broken down into the F major triad:
\n
\n…and an F major seventh interval:
\n<\/p>\n

Suggested Reading:<\/strong> Major Seventh Chords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Chord Of The Seventh Degree<\/h3>\n

The seventh scale degree seventh chord from the A harmonic minor scale:
\n
\n…can be formed from G#:
\n
\nA third from G#:
\n
\n…is B:
\n
\nA third from G#-B:
\n
\n…is D:
\n
\nA third from G#-B-D:
\n
\n…is F:
\n
\nAltogether, the seventh scale degree seventh chord of the A harmonic minor scale is the G# diminished seventh chord<\/a>:
\n<\/p>\n

Final Words<\/h2>\n

Here are the scale degree seventh chords of the harmonic minor scale…<\/p>\n