7-note scale · also called jazz melodic minor, ascending melodic minor

The melodic minor scale on guitar

A major scale with a ♭3: the jazz musician’s minor scale.

Formula

1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7

Step pattern

W – H – W – W – W – W – H

Sounds

smooth, sophisticated and bittersweet

In classical theory the melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th going up and reverts to natural minor coming down. Jazz and guitar players use the ascending form in both directions, and that is the version shown here: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7.

Because it is only one note away from the major scale, it is easy to finger on guitar, yet it sounds very different. Over a minor 6th or minor(maj7) chord it gives a sophisticated, “film noir” colour.

Its modes are central to jazz: the 4th mode is Lydian dominant and the 7th mode is the altered scale, used over altered dominant chords.

A melodic minor by scale degree

Here is A melodic minor across the neck, labelled by scale degree instead of note name. Because guitar shapes are movable, this same pattern works in every key: slide it so the red root lands on the note you want.

Melodic Minor scale in all 12 keys

Pick a key for its notes, chords and fretboard diagrams.

When to use it

Use the melodic minor scale over minor 6th and minor(maj7) chords, jazz, fusion and modern film music.

Practice tip: Think of it as the major scale with one note changed. C melodic minor is C major with E♭ instead of E.