Chords Of Harmonic Minor Scale

Unveiling the Mysteries: Chords of the Harmonic Minor Scale

The harmonic minor scale, a fascinating and versatile cousin of the natural minor scale, offers a rich palette of chords for composers and musicians alike. Unlike its natural counterpart, the harmonic minor scale features a characteristic raised seventh degree, creating a dramatic and often unexpected harmonic landscape. This article delves deep into the chords derived from the harmonic minor scale, exploring their construction, function, and applications in music composition and improvisation. Understanding these chords unlocks a world of expressive possibilities, allowing you to create richer, more evocative melodies and harmonies.

Understanding the Harmonic Minor Scale

Before we dive into the chords themselves, let's establish a firm understanding of the harmonic minor scale. It's a seven-note scale, just like the major and natural minor scales, but with a crucial difference: the seventh degree (the leading tone) is raised by a half step. This alteration significantly impacts the scale's character and the resulting chords.

Let's take the A harmonic minor scale as an example: A - B - C - D - E - F - G# - A. Notice the raised G#, which is the key difference from the natural A minor scale (A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A). This raised seventh creates a powerful pull towards the tonic (A), adding a sense of tension and resolution that’s absent in the natural minor scale.

Constructing Chords from the Harmonic Minor Scale

Now, let's explore how we build chords from this altered scale. We can construct seven chords, one for each degree of the scale, using the standard chord formulas:

I - i (Minor): This is the tonic chord, built from the root of the scale. In A harmonic minor, it's A minor (A-C-E). It serves as the foundation and point of resolution for many harmonic progressions.
II - ii (Diminished): The supertonic chord, built on the second degree, is a diminished chord. In A harmonic minor, it's B diminished (B-D-F). Diminished chords are highly unstable and often create a sense of yearning or unresolved tension. They are frequently used as passing chords or to lead to a more stable chord.
III - iii (Minor): The mediant chord, built on the third degree, is also a minor chord. In A harmonic minor, this is C minor (C-E-G). It often provides a contrasting color to the tonic chord.
IV - iv (Major): The subdominant chord, built on the fourth degree, is a major chord – a key characteristic of the harmonic minor scale. In A harmonic minor, this is D major (D-F#-A). The major subdominant chord is a defining feature, adding a bright, unexpected element to the harmonic landscape.
V - v (Major): The dominant chord, built on the fifth degree, is also a major chord. In A harmonic minor, this is E major (E-G#-B). This is a powerful chord, creating a strong pull towards the tonic.
VI - vi (Major): The submediant chord, built on the sixth degree, is a major chord. In A harmonic minor, it's F major (F-A-C). This major chord provides a sense of calm and often acts as a secondary dominant, leading to the V chord.
VII - vii° (Diminished): The leading tone chord, built on the seventh degree, is a diminished chord. In A harmonic minor, it's G# diminished (G#-B-D). This chord, due to its highly chromatic nature, adds significant tension and urgency to the progression, strongly resolving to the tonic.

Functional Harmony in the Harmonic Minor Scale

The chords within the harmonic minor scale don't function identically to their counterparts in major or natural minor scales. The presence of the raised seventh profoundly alters their roles:

The Major Subdominant (IV): The major IV chord is a distinctive feature. It creates a surprising lift in the harmonic progression, often acting as a pivot chord, connecting the tonic to other chords in unconventional ways.
The Major Dominant (V): The major V chord retains its powerful dominant function, leading strongly back to the tonic. However, its major quality adds a brighter, more assertive sound compared to the dominant in natural minor.
Diminished Chords (II and VII): The diminished chords add significant color and tension. They are often used as passing chords or to create heightened emotional impact. Their unstable nature requires careful handling to ensure a satisfying resolution.

Common Chord Progressions in Harmonic Minor

Several common and effective chord progressions utilize the unique characteristics of the harmonic minor scale:

i - iv - V - i: This simple yet powerful progression uses the tonic minor, the major subdominant, the major dominant, and resolves to the tonic. It's a basic but highly effective framework.
i - ii° - V - i: This progression uses the diminished supertonic to create a strong sense of tension before resolving to the tonic through the dominant.
vi - iii - V - i: This progression uses the major submediant to add a touch of brightness before moving to the minor mediant and then resolving via the dominant.
iv - V - i - vi: This progression showcases the major subdominant's distinctive function and allows for melodic exploration within the harmonic minor context.
ii° - V - i - vii°: This is a highly dramatic progression emphasizing the tension created by diminished chords. It requires careful handling of voicing and rhythm to avoid sounding dissonant.

Advanced Harmonic Techniques

More advanced compositional techniques can be employed within the harmonic minor context:

Secondary Dominants: Borrowing chords from parallel keys to create temporary dominant functions can add significant richness and complexity. For instance, in A harmonic minor, the dominant of the V chord (E major) is B major, which can be used as a secondary dominant to lead strongly to E major.
Modal Interchange: Borrowing chords from parallel modes (e.g., Dorian, Phrygian) can add unexpected colors and textures.
Augmented Chords: Adding an augmented chord (usually the V chord's augmented 5th) can create a heightened sense of drama and tension.

Melodic Implications

The raised seventh in the harmonic minor scale also affects melodic construction. The leading tone (raised 7th) creates a powerful pull towards the tonic, impacting the phrasing and direction of melodies. Melodies built on the harmonic minor often have a characteristic dramatic and expressive quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What makes the harmonic minor scale different from the natural minor scale?

A: The harmonic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale by having a raised 7th degree. This alteration creates a stronger pull towards the tonic and results in major subdominant and dominant chords.

Q: Why are the IV and V chords major in harmonic minor?

A: Raising the 7th degree creates the major IV and V chords, a significant departure from the natural minor scale, where these chords would be minor and major, respectively. These major chords are essential to the unique sound of the harmonic minor.

Q: Are diminished chords always dissonant?

A: Diminished chords, while inherently unstable, aren't always dissonant. Their dissonance can be used effectively to create tension and drama, leading to satisfying resolutions.

Q: How can I learn to use harmonic minor chords effectively?

A: Practice constructing the chords, experiment with different progressions, listen to music that uses the harmonic minor scale, and analyze how the chords are used. Start with simple progressions and gradually explore more complex techniques.

Conclusion

The harmonic minor scale, with its unique characteristic of a raised seventh, provides a wealth of harmonic possibilities. Mastering the chords derived from this scale unlocks a significant toolset for creating evocative and expressive music. By understanding the function of each chord, exploring common progressions, and experimenting with advanced techniques, you can unlock the powerful expressive potential of the harmonic minor scale and elevate your musical compositions to new levels of sophistication. The journey of discovery and exploration within this fascinating scale is ongoing – so start experimenting, and enjoy the creative process!