Melodic
Just like an M requires us to climb as we write it (up the M, up the mountain)…
When ascending in pitch, the Melodic Minor Scale (from the Natural Minor) is created by raising the 6th and 7th
Flat 3rd ♭3
Sharp 6th # 6
Sharp 7th # 7
Another way to look at it is using the parallel Major scale:
If we use the major scale, when ascending, we flat only the 3rd
Flat 3rd ♭3
Welodic
In Classical Melodic Minor, the ascending and descending sequence of notes change
The Descending pattern follows a Natural Minor
The Melodic Scale in descending scale is different from the ascending scale.
When we flip an M, we get a W
W starts at the top, and slides down hill.
Flat 7th ♭7
Flat 6th ♭6
Flat 3rd ♭3
Jazzlodic Minor
( jazz Melodic Minor)
In Jazz Melodic Minor, the notes don’t change, regardless which direction the scale is approached.
Flat 3rd ♭3
Sharp 6th # 6
Sharp 7th # 7
A Melodic Minor
* A leading tone, responsible for creating tension, is when the seventh scale degree is only a semitone away from the root note.