Which statement about the harmonic minor is true?

Which statement about the harmonic minor is true?

• A. It lowers the seventh degree
• B. It raises the seventh degree by a half step relative to natural minor
• C. It raises the sixth degree by a half step
• D. It uses the same pitches as the melodic minor

Answer: (B)

Raising the seventh degree of the natural minor by a half step to create a leading tone is the defining feature of the harmonic minor. This single alteration—the seventh degree is elevated by half a step—gives the scale a strong pull to the tonic, which is essential for establishing traditional harmony. In A minor, for example, the natural minor is A–B–C–D–E–F–G–A, while the harmonic minor becomes A–B–C–D–E–F–G#–A, giving that characteristic leading-tone interval from G# to A. The statement captures exactly this modification. Lowering the seventh would remove the leading-tone effect and disrupt the tonal function. Raising the sixth is a trait of melodic minor (where both sixth and seventh are raised when ascending), not of the harmonic minor. And saying it uses the same pitches as the melodic minor ignores the fact that melodic minor raises both sixth and seventh (at least in the ascending form), whereas harmonic minor only raises the seventh.

Raising the seventh degree of the natural minor by a half step to create a leading tone is the defining feature of the harmonic minor. This single alteration—the seventh degree is elevated by half a step—gives the scale a strong pull to the tonic, which is essential for establishing traditional harmony. In A minor, for example, the natural minor is A–B–C–D–E–F–G–A, while the harmonic minor becomes A–B–C–D–E–F–G#–A, giving that characteristic leading-tone interval from G# to A.

The statement captures exactly this modification. Lowering the seventh would remove the leading-tone effect and disrupt the tonal function. Raising the sixth is a trait of melodic minor (where both sixth and seventh are raised when ascending), not of the harmonic minor. And saying it uses the same pitches as the melodic minor ignores the fact that melodic minor raises both sixth and seventh (at least in the ascending form), whereas harmonic minor only raises the seventh.