What is the Melodic Minor Scale?

 

Depiction of the Melodic Minor Scale

The melodic minor scale has different intervals when ascending and descending. Here's a breakdown:

Ascending Melodic Minor Scale
1. Root to Second: Major 2nd (whole step)
2. Second to Third: Minor 3rd (half step)
3. Third to Fourth: Major 3rd (whole step)
4. Fourth to Fifth: Perfect 4th (whole step)
5. Fifth to Sixth: Perfect 5th (whole step)
6. Sixth to Seventh: Major 6th (whole step)
7. Seventh to Octave: Major 7th (whole step)

Descending Melodic Minor Scale

The descending melodic minor scale traditionally follows the intervals of the natural minor scale:

1. Octave to Seventh: Minor 7th (whole step)
2. Seventh to Sixth: Minor 6th (whole step)
3. Sixth to Fifth: Perfect 5th (whole step)
4. Fifth to Fourth: Perfect 4th (whole step)
5. Fourth to Third: Minor 3rd (half step)
6. Third to Second: Major 2nd (whole step)
7. Second to Root: Minor 2nd (half step)

In the ascending form, the melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degrees, which differentiates it from the natural and harmonic minor scales. In the descending form, it reverts to the natural minor scale pattern.