Melodic Minor Scale
The smooth minor scale. Raises both the 6th and 7th when ascending for effortless voice leading. Essential for jazz, classical, and neo-soul.
What Is the Melodic Minor Scale?
The melodic minor scale solves a problem that the harmonic minor creates. Harmonic minor raises the 7th to get a strong V chord, but that creates an awkward augmented 2nd interval between the b6 and the raised 7th. That interval is hard to sing smoothly.
The melodic minor fixes this by raising BOTH the 6th and 7th when ascending, eliminating the awkward gap. Descending, classical tradition reverts to natural minor since the voice is falling and resolution is less critical.
Jazz musicians simplified this further: they use the ascending form in BOTH directions, calling it jazz minor. This gives jazz an unusual scale with a minor 3rd but major 6th and 7th, creating a distinctive sound that sits between major and minor.
Interval Formula (A Melodic Minor Ascending)
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note (A minor) | Note in natural minor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | A | A |
| 2 | Major 2nd | 2 | B | B |
| b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 | C | C |
| 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 | D | D |
| 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 | E | E |
| 6 | Major 6th | 9 | F# (raised) | F |
| 7 | Major 7th | 11 | G# (raised) | G |
Descending (classical tradition): A, G, F, E, D, C, B. The 6th and 7th revert to natural minor when descending. Jazz convention: use the ascending form (A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#) in both directions.
Melodic Minor Scale: All 12 Keys
Ascending form (jazz minor convention). Raised 6th and 7th shown in violet.
| Key | 1 | 2 | b3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (raised) | 7 (raised) | Camelot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A minor | A | B | C | D | E | F# | G# | 8A |
| E minor | E | F# | G | A | B | C# | D# | 12A |
| B minor | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# | A# | 3A |
| F# minor | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# | E# | 10A |
| C# minor | C# | D# | E | F# | G# | A# | B# | 5A |
| D minor | D | E | F | G | A | B | C# | 7A |
| G minor | G | A | Bb | C | D | E | F# | 6A |
| C minor | C | D | Eb | F | G | A | B | 5A |
| F minor | F | G | Ab | Bb | C | D | E | 4A |
| Bb minor | Bb | C | Db | Eb | F | G | A | 3A |
| Eb minor | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | Bb | C | D | 2A |
| Ab minor | Ab | Bb | Cb | Db | Eb | F | G | 1A |
Ascending vs Descending Forms
Ascending (Classical + Jazz)
Raised 6th (F#) and 7th (G#) smooth out the voice leading toward the tonic. Creates a major V chord (E major) for strong resolution. Used ascending in classical; used in BOTH directions in jazz ("jazz minor").
Descending (Classical Only)
Reverts to natural minor descending. When falling, resolution is less urgent so the smoother natural minor is preferred. This means the melodic minor is a "directional scale" in classical writing.
Jazz shortcut: Most jazz musicians and producers use just the ascending form (A B C D E F# G#) going both up and down. This gives you the unique "jazz minor" sound with a minor 3rd but major 6th and 7th, and it also unlocks the 7 jazz minor modes including Lydian Dominant and the Altered Scale.
Diatonic Chords in Melodic Minor (Jazz Convention)
Using the ascending form throughout. Key chord is the minor-major 7th (iminM7) on degree 1.
| Degree | Chord Type | Example (A minor) | Sound / Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | Minor-major 7th | AmM7 | Dark, mysterious, film score |
| ii | Minor 7th | Bm7 | Smooth, jazz ii chord |
| bIII | Major 7th #5 | CM7#5 | Dreamy, augmented feel |
| IV | Dominant 7th | D7 | Bluesy, strong pull |
| V | Dominant 7th | E7 | Strong resolution (ascending) |
| vi | Half-diminished | F#m7b5 | Tense, jazz ii substit. |
| vii | Half-diminished | G#m7b5 | Very tense, leads to tonic |
The iminM7 chord is the signature sound of melodic minor. It stacks a minor 3rd and a major 7th over the root, creating a uniquely bittersweet, sophisticated chord. You hear it constantly in jazz ballads, film scores, and neo-soul. In A minor: A, C, E, G# (AmM7).
Natural vs Harmonic vs Melodic Minor
| Feature | Natural Minor | Harmonic Minor | Melodic Minor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula (ascending) | 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7 | 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7 | 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Raised notes | None | Raised 7th only | Raised 6th AND 7th (ascending) |
| Descending form | Same | Same | Reverts to natural minor |
| Augmented 2nd? | No | Yes (b6-7 gap) | No (smoothed out) |
| V chord quality | Minor (v) | Major (V) | Major (V) ascending |
| Main use | Rock, pop, EDM | Classical, flamenco, metal | Jazz, classical, neo-soul |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate | Intermediate-Advanced |
Famous Melodic Minor Examples
Ascending form defines the iconic horn melody in the solo sections
Bebop standard using melodic minor for smooth scalar runs
Jazz waltz where melodic minor gives the melody its bittersweet quality
Classic standard; melodic minor used over the iim7b5 chord
Classical melodic minor used for smooth voice leading in Baroque counterpoint
Modern pop/R&B use of melodic minor for bittersweet emotional quality
Melodic Minor by Genre
| Genre | How It Is Used | Key Artists | Common Keys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz | Over iim7b5-V7-i progressions, entire solos in "jazz minor" | Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker | Common in Bb, Eb, Ab |
| Classical | Ascending for smooth voice leading, descending reverts to natural minor | Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin | All 12 keys |
| Neo-Soul | iminM7 chord as tonic, creates bittersweet suspended feeling | D'Angelo, Robert Glasper, Erykah Badu | D, G, C minor |
| Film Score | iminM7 chord for mystery and tension; ascending runs for drama | Bernard Herrmann, Hans Zimmer, John Powell | Any key |
| Fusion | Full melodic minor as a standalone scale for entire solos | Scott Henderson, Mike Stern, Allan Holdsworth | All keys |
| Progressive Rock | Ascending melodic minor for unusual interval sound in leads | Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree | E, A, D minor |
6 Production Tips for Melodic Minor
1. Start with iminM7
Open your track with an Am major-7 chord (A, C, E, G#). Instantly signals melodic minor and creates an intriguing, sophisticated mood before a single note of melody is played.
2. Use Lydian Dominant (mode 4)
The 4th mode of melodic minor is Lydian Dominant (1,2,3,#4,5,6,b7). It is THE most important jazz scale over unaltered dominant 7th chords. D Lydian Dominant over a G7 chord gives that sophisticated jazz sound.
3. Explore the Altered Scale (mode 7)
The 7th mode of melodic minor starting on G# gives you the Altered Scale (G# Altered), used over G7 chords to create maximum tension. Every note is altered: b9, #9, b5/b13. Essential for jazz ii-V-i resolution.
4. Identify in samples
If a sample has a minor chord but the melody rises with what sounds like a major 6th or 7th, you are hearing melodic minor. Use BeatKey to detect the key, then check if the raised notes fit the melodic minor pattern.
5. Blend with natural minor
Classical composers mix both forms within a single phrase: ascending melodic minor for smooth upward movement, descending natural minor for a darker return. This creates emotional tension and release within a single melodic line.
6. Neo-soul voicings
Stack a minor 9th chord with a major 7th (Am9 with G#): A, C, E, G#, B. This minor-major 9th chord is the signature neo-soul voicing used by Robert Glasper, D'Angelo, and Hiatus Kaiyote. Start with the iminM7 and add the 9th on top.
Minor Scale Family
Explore Melodic Minor in Any Key
Use Scale Finder to look up melodic minor notes for any root. Then use BeatKey to detect the key of a track and see if it fits the melodic minor pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the melodic minor scale?
The melodic minor scale raises both the 6th and 7th degrees when ascending, creating smooth voice leading toward the tonic. Classically it reverts to natural minor descending. Jazz musicians use just the ascending form (jazz minor) in both directions.
What are the notes of A melodic minor?
A melodic minor ascending: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#. Descending (classical): A, G, F, E, D, C, B. The raised notes (F# and G#) distinguish it from A natural minor (F and G natural).
What is the difference between harmonic minor and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises only the 7th, creating an augmented 2nd between b6 and the raised 7. Melodic minor raises BOTH the 6th and 7th ascending, eliminating that awkward interval for smoother melodic lines. Both create a major V chord for strong harmonic resolution.
Why do jazz musicians use melodic minor?
Jazz musicians use the ascending form in both directions ("jazz minor") because it generates unique modes: Lydian Dominant (mode 4, used over dominant 7th chords) and the Altered Scale (mode 7, maximum tension over V7 chords). These are foundational to jazz improvisation and harmony.