Raise the 7th for a stronger pull home
In natural minor the 7th note sits a whole tone below the tonic, so it doesn't pull strongly home. Raise it by a semitone and it becomes a leading note, just like in a major key. In A minor, G becomes G♯.
This also turns chord V into a major chord (E major in A minor), which is why minor-key cadences use it. The gap between the 6th and the raised 7th (F to G♯) is an augmented 2nd - three semitones - and gives harmonic minor its distinctive sound.
- Harmonic minor = natural minor with a raised 7th
- The raised 7th is written as an accidental, never in the key signature
- The augmented 2nd between degrees 6 and 7 is the tell-tale sound
A harmonic minor
Listen for the wide step from F to G♯ near the top.
Key takeaways
- • Raise the 7th only
- • Creates a leading note and a major chord V
- • Augmented 2nd between 6 and 7
Try it in the Toolbox
Test yourself
1 / 2
In A harmonic minor, which note is raised?