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E Harmonic Minor

Natural minor with a raised 7th, creating a strong leading tone back to the tonic. The augmented second between the 6th and 7th gives it an exotic, Middle-Eastern flavor.

♭6C1E♭3G4A5B♭6C1E♭3G4A5B7D♯2F♯7D♯2F♯

Notes

1E
2F♯
♭3G
4A
5B
♭6C
7D♯

Common progressions

i–iv–V
Em–Am–B

The basic minor cadence. In harmonic minor the V becomes a major chord, creating a strong pull back to the tonic.

i–VI–vii°
Em–C–D♯°

Step-wise ascending progression heard throughout rock and metal.

i–vii°–VI–V
Em–D♯°–C–B

The Andalusian cadence — a descending tetrachord foundational in flamenco and Western classical music.

iiø7–V7–i(maj7)
F♯m7♭5–B7–Em(maj7)

The minor ii–V–i. The ii is half-diminished; in harmonic minor the V becomes a dominant 7, the classic minor-key turnaround.