Music theory definition
Harmonic minor
Natural minor with the 7th raised, giving a leading tone.
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
Borrowing a leading tone
Raise the 7th → . In A , G becomes G♯ and pulls home.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 7: Minor scales. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Harmonic minor
Raising the 7th to create a leading tone.
Related music terms
- Minor
- A family of scales and chords with a different sound from major. A basic minor chord has its middle note one half step lower than the major version.
- Natural minor
- The minor scale straight from the key signature: W H W W H W W.
- Melodic minor
- Minor with the 6th and 7th raised going up (and natural minor coming down).