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scale

B-sharp Harmonic Major

Note: This scale is rarely used in practice. The c-harmonic-major is more commonly used and is enharmonically equivalent.

The B-sharp harmonic major scale is the enharmonic equivalent of the C harmonic major scale, which is the standard notation for this pitch collection. Like all harmonic major scales, B-sharp harmonic major is theoretically derived from the B-sharp major scale by lowering the sixth degree by a semitone, producing the distinctive augmented second between the lowered sixth and major seventh. However, because B-sharp major itself requires twelve sharps (with extensive double-sharp notation), the resulting B-sharp harmonic major scale is extraordinarily impractical, making C harmonic major the universally preferred enharmonic spelling for musical notation and performance.

Symbol
B♯ harmonic
Key
b sharp
Scale Type
harmonic major
Cardinality
heptatonic
Number of Notes
8
Notes
B♯, D, E, E♯, G, G♯, B, B♯
Intervals from Root
M2, M3, P4, P5, m6, M7

Why C Harmonic Major is Preferred

B-sharp harmonic major would theoretically require numerous sharps and double sharps, creating an unreadable notation system for what is simply the C harmonic major scale with no sharps or flats. C harmonic major uses entirely natural notes except for the lowered sixth degree (A-flat), making it one of the most accessible harmonic major scales to read, write, and perform. The notational simplicity of C harmonic major compared to its B-sharp enharmonic equivalent represents one of the most extreme cases of practical preference in music theory.

Practice Recommendations

There is no practical reason to ever use B-sharp harmonic major notation. Instead, study and practice C harmonic major, which provides the same pitches with straightforward notation. When learning harmonic major scales, C harmonic major is often recommended as a starting point due to its similarity to the C major scale, requiring only one altered note. Understanding this enharmonic relationship reinforces the importance of choosing appropriate enharmonic spellings based on context and readability.