Scale type
Melodic Minor Scales on Piano
The melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degrees ascending, then reverts to natural minor descending. This dual alteration smooths out the awkward augmented second of the harmonic minor while preserving the leading tone. In jazz, the ascending form is used in both directions and serves as the parent scale for seven important modes.
Pick a key to hear and see it below. Each key opens a full reference entry with a keyboard diagram, audio, fingerings, and notation.
Featured key
C Melodic Minor Scale
Notes: C - D - E♭ - F - G - A - B
Ascending
C-D-Eb-F-G-A-B-C
Descending: natural minor
C-D-E♭-F-G-A♭-B♭-C
Choose a key
Open the full C Melodic Minor Scale reference ›Formula: W–H–W–W–W–W–H ascending / W–W–H–W–W–H–W descending
Intervals: P1–M2–m3–P4–P5–M6–M7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–7 ascending / 1–2–♭3–4–5–♭6–♭7 descending
Sound: Smooth, sophisticated, jazzy
Also known as: Jazz minor (ascending form used in both directions)
Classical vs. jazz melodic minor: Classical training teaches the descending revert to natural minor. Jazz musicians use the ascending form in both directions, treating it as a distinct seven-note scale. This "jazz minor" is the parent scale for modes like Lydian Dominant, Altered (Super Locrian), and Locrian ♯2.
Melodic Minor Scale in All 18 Keys
All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.
Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.
C Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: C – D – E♭ – F – G – A – BC♯ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯D♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – CD Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: D – E – F – G – A – B – C♯D♯ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯♯E♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C – DE Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: E – F♯ – G – A – B – C♯ – D♯F Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D – EF♯ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯G♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – FG Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: G – A – B♭ – C – D – E – F♯G♯ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯A♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – GA Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G♯A♯ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯♯B♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – AB Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯C♭ Melodic Minor ScaleNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭
Want the full theory? Intervals, construction, and how this scale connects to others.Minor Scales Guide ›