Which feature defines harmonic minor?

Which feature defines harmonic minor?

• A. Raising the seventh scale degree
• B. Raising the third scale degree
• C. Lowering the seventh scale degree
• D. Lowering the second scale degree

Answer: (A)

Raising the seventh scale degree in a minor key creates the harmonic minor. That single change gives you a leading tone to the tonic, which makes the V chord major (or V7) and strengthens cadences in minor keys. So the defining feature is the raised seventh. Raising the third would alter the quality of the scale in a way that isn’t how harmonic minor is defined. Lowering the seventh returns you to natural minor, which lacks the leading-tone pull. Lowering the second degree changes other interval relationships and isn’t the characteristic of harmonic minor.

Raising the seventh scale degree in a minor key creates the harmonic minor. That single change gives you a leading tone to the tonic, which makes the V chord major (or V7) and strengthens cadences in minor keys. So the defining feature is the raised seventh.

Raising the third would alter the quality of the scale in a way that isn’t how harmonic minor is defined. Lowering the seventh returns you to natural minor, which lacks the leading-tone pull. Lowering the second degree changes other interval relationships and isn’t the characteristic of harmonic minor.