Melodic Minor Scale

Natural minor with a raised 6th AND 7th — a smooth minor scale that still leads strongly home. The backbone of jazz-minor soloing and much film-score writing.

🎸 See this scale on the fretboard & hear it — free interactive finder →

Formula

10st
22st
♭33st
45st
57st
69st
711st

Notes in every key

Scale12♭34567
A MelodicABCDEF#G#
E MelodicEF#GABC#D#
C MelodicCDD#FGAB
G MelodicGAA#CDEF#
D MelodicDEFGABC#

How to use it

Melodic minor = natural minor with a natural 6 and natural 7 (only the ♭3 keeps it minor). "Jazz melodic minor" uses this ascending shape both ways, and its modes power modern jazz.

Where you hear it

Jazz-minor lines, fusion (Allan Holdsworth), James Bond-style cues and dramatic film scores.

🎛️ Pick any key & play it on the interactive fretboard →

Melodic Minor scale — FAQ

What notes are in the Melodic Minor scale?

The Melodic Minor scale follows the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7. For example, in the key of A it is A B C D E F# G#.

What is the Melodic Minor scale used for?

Natural minor with a raised 6th AND 7th — a smooth minor scale that still leads strongly home. The backbone of jazz-minor soloing and much film-score writing.

What songs use the Melodic Minor scale?

Jazz-minor lines, fusion (Allan Holdsworth), James Bond-style cues and dramatic film scores.

More: all scales · chords · tunings · tuner

GuitarToneAdapt · free scales, chords, tunings, tuner and researched tones. guitartoneadapt.com