Harmonic Minor

Crosbie, Jeremy MV ( (no email) )
Thu, 06 Mar 97 13:54:00 PST

I think one of the reasons the harmonic minor is omitted is many texts is
that it sounds too gypsyish when used incorrectly. That interval between the
b6 and major 7 sounds a little weird. This is probably one of the most over
used scales in heavy metal music, due its potentially dark sound.

However, when used correctly it can yield great results. I use it
occasionally, but with caution.

Interesting notes on the harmonic and melodic minor scales:

Here is the harmonization of both scales:

Melodic Minor:

Iminmaj7 IImin7 III7#5 IV7 V7 VImin7b5 VIImin7b5

Harmonic Minor

Iminmaj7 IImin7b5 III7#5 IVmin7 V7 VImaj7 VIImin7b5

Notice how every other chord differs when you match up the two. The I, III,
V, and VII chords are the same in both cases making either scale
interchangeable while the II, IV, and VI chords differ.

Maybe if you post the changes to "Morning of the Carnaval" or at least post
the source of the music, we could decipher why this tune seems to work best
with the harmonic minor scale.