Introduction

The Ab Melodic Minor Scale (ascending form) raises both the 6th and 7th degrees of the Ab Natural Minor scale, creating a smooth melodic line toward the tonic. Its notes are Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - F - G - Ab.

Enharmonic equivalent: A♭ is enharmonically equivalent to G♯. See G# Melodic Minor Scale Scale.

Ab Melodic Minor Scale Notes

Degree	Name	Note	Interval
1	Tonic	A♭	P1
2	Supertonic	B♭	M2
♭3	Mediant	C♭	m3
4	Subdominant	D♭	P4
5	Dominant	E♭	P5
6	Submediant	F	M6
7	Leading Tone	G	M7
8	Octave	A♭	P8

Key Signature

The Ab Melodic Minor Scale uses the same key signature as Ab natural minor (its relative major, Cb Major) — 7 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭). The raised 6th and 7th degrees are written as accidentals, not in the signature.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭

Written as accidentals

F♮G♮

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Parallel and Relative Keys

Every melodic minor scale has two close cousins. The parallel key shares the same root note but flips the mode (major ↔ minor). The relative key shares the exact same notes and key signature, but starts on a different tonic — three semitones up. Both relationships matter for songwriting: borrowing chords from the parallel key adds emotional color, and pivoting to the relative key is a smooth way to change the mood of a section without changing keys on paper.

Parallel key: Ab Major Scale — same root note (Ab), opposite mode. The third, sixth, and seventh degrees shift by a half-step. See also the Ab Major Chord.

Relative key: B Major Scale — same key signature, different tonic. Ab Melodic Minor and B Major use the same seven notes; the difference is which note feels like “home.” See also the B Major Chord.

Diatonic Chords in the A♭ Melodic Minor Scale

These are the triads built on each degree of the A♭ Melodic Minor Scale:

i — A♭ Minor (minor)

Degree	Numeral	Chord	Quality
1	i	A♭ Minor	Minor
2	ii	B♭ Minor	Minor
3	III+	C♭ Augmented	Augmented
4	IV	D♭ Major	Major
5	V	E♭ Major	Major
6	vi°	F Diminished	Diminished
7	vii°	G Diminished	Diminished

Ab Melodic Minor Scale — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Ab Melodic Minor Scale?

The Ab Melodic Minor Scale (ascending form) contains: Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F G (plus the octave). It raises both the 6th and 7th degrees of Ab Natural Minor. The descending form reverts to natural minor. In jazz, the ascending form is used in both directions and is sometimes called the "jazz minor" scale.

Why does the melodic minor scale have two versions?

Classical theory uses two forms: ascending (with raised 6th and 7th for smooth upward movement) and descending (natural minor for smooth downward movement). In jazz, the ascending form is used in both directions — this single form is called the "jazz melodic minor" and is the standard in contemporary contexts.

How does Ab Melodic Minor differ from Ab Major?

The Ab Melodic Minor Scale is like Ab Major with a lowered 3rd degree. It shares 6 of the 7 notes with Ab Major — only the 3rd is flatted. This gives melodic minor a unique hybrid character: it sounds almost major but with a minor 3rd colouring.

What is the fingering for the Ab Melodic Minor Scale?

Right hand: 34123123. Left hand: 32132143. The melodic minor uses similar fingering to natural minor. Practice the ascending form first, then the descending natural minor form, before combining them into the full classical two-directional scale.

What modes come from the Ab Melodic Minor Scale?

The Ab Melodic Minor Scale generates seven modes, some with important names: Mode 2 (Dorian b2 / Phrygian #6), Mode 4 (Lydian Dominant), Mode 5 (Mixolydian b6), Mode 6 (Locrian #2 / Half-Diminished), and Mode 7 (Altered Scale / Super Locrian). These modes are foundational to modern jazz improvisation.

What music uses the Ab Melodic Minor Scale?

Melodic minor is used in Classical music (Bach, Mozart, Romantic composers), jazz improvisation (especially over minor-major 7th chords and as the source of the altered scale), and in film music. The jazz melodic minor (ascending only) is one of the most important scales in modern harmony.

Practice Tips

Learn the ascending form first: Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F G — then learn the descending as natural minor. Classical players use both; jazz players use ascending in both directions.
Compare Ab Melodic Minor with Ab Major: only the 3rd is different. Play them back to back to hear the subtle but significant mood shift.
Use the correct fingering (RH: 34123123) — same pattern as natural minor.
Practice the ascending form over a Abm(maj7) chord — melodic minor fits this chord perfectly.
Explore the modes: the 7th mode of Ab Melodic Minor is the altered Altered Scale — one of the most important jazz improvisation tools.
Listen to how Bach and Mozart use melodic minor in their minor-key works to hear the classical ascending/descending distinction in practice.

Explore More

Melodic Minor Scale in Other Keys

C C#Db D D#Eb E F F#Gb G G#A A#Bb B Cb

Chords in the Key of Ab

iAb Minor ii°Bb Diminished IIIB Major ivDb Minor vEb Minor VIE Major VIIGb Major

Browse all Melodic Minor Scales →All Ab Scales →Learn about minor scales →

Related Lessons

Keep going with the Melodic Minor scale — these pages cover the underlying theory, the connected reference material, and the practice tools that work with this scale.

Theory

Reference

References & Further Reading

How this scale page is sourced & verified

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this page are drawn from the established body of Western music theory and verified against the conventions below — the same fundamentals taught in conservatories and music programs. We list categories of source material rather than individual titles, and reference the standards themselves rather than any single edition.

Standard music theory texts — Widely taught fundamentals of pitch, rhythm, and notation.
Western tonal harmony conventions — Established rules for chord construction, voice leading, and key relationships.
Interval and chord construction standards — The conventional spelling of intervals, triads, sevenths, and extensions.
Scale and mode theory — The common derivation of major, minor, pentatonic, blues, and modal scales.
Piano pedagogy and technique references — Long-standing practices for fingering, hand position, and practice.

Spot something that looks off? Use the note form below — corrections are reviewed by hand.

Leave a note

Spotted a typo, have a question, or want to add something? We read every note.

Ab Melodic Minor Scale