Melodic Minor Piano Scales

What is a Melodic Minor Scale?

The melodic minor scale is characterised by its variable structure:

• Ascending: The 6th and 7th degrees are both raised by a half step compared to the natural minor scale, creating the pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H (whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step)
• Descending: Traditionally reverts to the natural minor scale pattern: W-W-H-W-W-H-W

For example, A melodic minor ascending contains: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A then descending: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A. Modern jazz musicians often use only the ascending form in both directions, particularly valuing its unique sound for improvisation.

Why Practice Melodic Minor Scales?

The melodic minor scale offers several distinctive benefits:

1. Smoother melodic lines - The raised 6th and 7th degrees create more natural melodic movement
2. Jazz applications - Essential for understanding modern jazz harmony and improvisation
3. Technical development - The changing pattern improves finger independence and adaptability
4. Compositional versatility - Provides more options for creating interesting melodies

Famous Songs Using Melodic Minor

While melodic minor is often used for shorter passages rather than entire pieces, several notable works feature this distinctive scale:

• On Green Dolphin Street (jazz standard, uses melodic minor in improvisation)
• Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (includes melodic minor passages)
• "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus (uses F melodic minor)
• "Nardis" by Miles Davis (employs E melodic minor)
• All Blues by Miles Davis (uses G melodic minor elements)
• Debussy's Clair de Lune (contains D melodic minor passages)
• The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (contains elements of E melodic minor)
• Many Bach compositions, including his Cello Suites

The melodic minor scale emerged as a practical solution to the challenges of writing smooth, singable melodies in minor keys. By raising the 6th and 7th notes while ascending, composers could create stronger leading tones and avoid the awkward augmented second interval found in the harmonic minor scale.

In jazz theory, the melodic minor scale (particularly when used in both directions) generates seven distinct modes, each with unique applications for improvisation. This makes it especially valuable for jazz pianists seeking to expand their improvisational vocabulary.

Regular practice of melodic minor scales will enhance your understanding of how composers create smooth, flowing melodic lines while maintaining the emotional quality of minor tonality. These scales offer a perfect balance between the melancholy of minor and the brightness of major, making them an indispensable part of any pianist's technical foundation.

Don’t forget that you can make scale practice more fun with TomScales ! Play alongside an orchestra or a band with TomScales. You can choose from several high-quality audio covers: Classical, Pop, Epic, Jazz and more! TomScales is designed with a progressive approach, starting at a beginner level and gradually increasing in difficulty. As you advance through the very easy, easy and intermediate levels, new scales are introduced, the tempo quickens, and scale variations become more complex.