THEORY HELPERA Melodic Minor Scale
Jazz minor, smooth
What is the A Melodic Minor Scale?
The Melodic Minor scale raises both the 6th and 7th degrees of natural minor, creating a smoother melodic line. In jazz, it's used both ascending and descending, unlike its classical counterpart which descends as natural minor.
Interval Pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
Scale Notes and Intervals
A Melodic Minor
SophisticatedA 1
B 2
C 3
D 4
E 5
F# 6
G# 7
Notes:
A -B -C -D -E -F# -G#
Intervals:
WHWWWW H
Keyboard Visualization
How to Play A Melodic Minor on Piano
Scale Properties
Mood
SophisticatedCharacter
Jazz minor, smoothGenres
Jazz, FusionNotes in Scale
7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#Category
Minor VariantsIntervals
W-H-W-W-W-W-HHistory and Origins
The Background of the Melodic Minor Scale
Originally created to smooth out the augmented 2nd of harmonic minor for vocal melodies. Jazz musicians adopted it as a standalone scale, using it to generate numerous chord-scale relationships essential to modern jazz harmony.
Musical Characteristics
Key Features of the A Melodic Minor Scale
- Raised 6th and 7th degrees
- Smoother than harmonic minor
- Parent scale for many jazz modes
- Creates sophisticated jazz sounds
Famous Songs Using This Scale
Popular Tracks in A Melodic Minor
- Yesterday - The Beatles
- Footprints - Wayne Shorter
- Solar - Miles Davis
- Blue in Green - Miles Davis
Playing Tips
How to Practice the A Melodic Minor Scale
Think of it as a major scale with a flat 3rd. This scale generates the altered scale, lydian dominant, and other jazz essentials. Use over minor-major 7th chords for a sophisticated sound.
Circle of Fifths Position
A in the Circle of Fifths
Major
Minor
Selected