The staff shows the 8 notes of a harmonic major scale, and your task is to recognize which one it is. On easy you choose from 4 options; on hard you first pick the root note and then its accidental.
Tip: First find the tonic, then look for the scale degrees that do not fit the plain major scale. In the harmonic major scale the 6th degree is lowered by a half step, which creates an augmented second between the 6th and the 7th note.
What is the harmonic major scale?
The harmonic major scale is a major scale with the 6th degree lowered by a half step (UK: semitone). In Spanish-language theory it is called the escala mayor mixta principal. The pattern of whole steps (W, UK: tones), half steps (H) and one augmented second (A2) is W-W-H-W-H-A2-H.
The characteristic interval is the augmented second between the lowered 6th and the natural 7th. It spans three half steps, the same size as a minor third, but it is written between two neighboring letter names. This leap gives the scale its sound, halfway between major and minor.
Example: C harmonic major
Start from C major (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C) and lower the 6th note by a half step (A becomes A♭): C-D-E-F-G-A♭-B-C. The leap from A♭ to B is an augmented second.
The 15 harmonic major scales
As with the plain major scales, there are 15 harmonic major scales, one for each major key. In keys with sharps, lowering the 6th degree can produce a natural (A♯ becomes A♮ in C♯ major, for example). In D♭, G♭ and C♭ major the 6th is already flat, so the lowered note is a double flat: B𝄫, E𝄫 and A𝄫.
To lock these scales into your fingers, practice them with the online metronome at 60-70% of your target tempo, raising it by 5 BPM each time you play three repetitions without mistakes. The online tuner lets you check your tuning before you start.
Printable worksheet (PDF)
The same exercise on paper, for class: eight harmonic major scales written on one side of an A4 sheet, half with a key signature and half with the accidentals before each note. The name of each scale is written below it. With a separate answer sheet, with the answers in red.
It goes from easier to harder: first key signatures with few accidentals in treble clef, then more accidentals and the bass clef.
Download the worksheet (PDF A4) Answers
You may print and photocopy the worksheets freely for the classroom. There are also worksheets of this same type for writing and writing with a key signature, and in the scales index you can create custom worksheets, mixing whichever types you like.