The melodic minor scale is a seven note scale with a numeric formula of 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8/1. Some classical composers have two versions of the melodic minor scale, one accending, the other decending. This comes from the harmonic minor scale and the augmented second interval between the sixth and seventh degrees which is sometimes considered too harsh in an orchestral environment, so composers tend to raise the sixth degree by a semi-tone if the melody is accending to the seventh (creating a standard melodic minor scale or accending melodic minor), and when the melody is decending from the seventh to the sixth, the seventh is lowered a semi-tone (creating a natural minor scale or decending melodic minor). Guitarists tend not to use this theory and use the same melodic minor pattern for both accending and decending, which is the way I will teach you here.

Melodic Minor Scale Modes

Just like the major scale, there are also seven modes of the melodic minor scale and among them are the altered scale, the lydian dominant scale and the lydian augmented scale. Below you will find a complete melodic minor modal reference.

Number / Name		Formula								Notation								Harmonized Chords
I	Melodic Minor	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	C	D	E	F	G	A	B	C	Cmi(MA7)	View
II	Dorian (2)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	D	E	F	G	A	B	C	D	Dmi7	View
III	Lydian Augmented	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	E	F	G	A	B	C	D	E	EMA7(5)	View
IV	Lydian Dominant	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	F	G	A	B	C	D	E	F	F7	View
V	Mixolydian (6)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	G	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	G7	View
VI	Locrian (2)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	A	Ami7(5)	View
VII	Altered	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	1	B	C	D	E	F	G	A	B	Bmi7(5)	View

• Notes...
• Remember you don't have to learn five scale patterns for each mode, all you need to know is the relative melodic minor key and play one of the five melodic minor patterns in that key, for instance: If you want to play an E Lydian Augmented scale (which is the third mode of the melodic minor scale) over an EMA⁷⁽⁵⁾ chord you would track back 3 semitones, E > D > C, and play a C Melodic minor which is exactly the same as playing an E Lydian Augmented.
• The View hyperlink next to the chord names will take you to each chords reference page showing chord voicings, formulas, alternatives etc etc

Melodic Minor Scale Profile

Numeric Formula	1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8/1
Notation Formula (key of C)	C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C/1
Stepping	whole / half / whole / whole / whole / whole / half
Tonal	tone / semitone / tone / tone / tone / tone / semitone
Harmonized Triads (key of C)	Cmi / Dmi / E / F / G / A / B
Harmonized Tetrads (key of C)	Cmi(MA7) / Dmi7 / EMA7(5) / F7 / G7 / Ami7(5) / Bmi7(5)

Melodic Minor Scale Patterns

The scales below are not shown in any particular key, they are patterns which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the tonic (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

• How to use
• As an example, let's say you require a D major scale
• After playing all the major scale patterns, you decide on pattern #2
• Pattern #2 has it's root on the 5^th string so you need to find the D note on this string
• Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5^th fret (5^th string)
• Now play the D major scale using pattern #2 on the 5^th fret
• Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
• Use the Scale chart help tab if your a beginner at reading scale charts

Melodic Minor Scale Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name	Flash	MP3
C Melodic Minor Scale Pattern #3		c-melodic-minor-scale-pattern-3.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

• Guitar Lessons
• • Economy picking
  • Alternate picking exercises
  • Dexterity exercises
• Music Theory
• • Flat five substitution
  • Harmonizing a major scale (triads)

External Resources

• Melodic minor scale at Wikipedia.org