Melodic Minor Scale
The Melodic Minor scale is a scale form that evolved from the natural minor. It is a scale
form that is particularly popular in jazz. It is often called the jazz minor scale.
Originally, it was used in classical music in tandem with the natural minor scale. The
melodic minor was used on ascending passages, and the natural minor on descending
ones. This was done because the melodic minor sounds more stable in ascending pas-
sages than does the natural minor. It is now use in jazz because of its slightly bluesy
sound.
Below is a comparison of three scale forms:
This section of the Harmonizer shows the harmonized melodic minor scale in a format
similar to the Major and Natural Minor Scales section (see page 6). It shows the modes,
chords, and notes that make up this scale.
1. Mode Names
This column lists the names of the modes that are derived from the Melodic
Minor scale. They are similar to those of the diatonic major except for a raised or
lowered note somewhere in the mode.
2. Triad Chords
Just as in the harmonized diatonic scale, triad chords can be created from the
1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of each of the melodic minor modes. The note that begins
and ends each mode is the root of the triad.
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
D
E
F
G
A
B C
C
C
C Major
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
w
w
h
w
w
w
h
D E<
F
G
A
B C
C
C Melodic Minor
1
2 <3
4
5
6
7
8
w
w
h
w
w
h
w
D E<
F
G A<
B<
C
C Natural Minor
1
2 <3
4
5 <6
<7
8
1.
Mode Names
2.
Triad Chords
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