Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale

The Jazz Minor Scale

The Jazz Minor Scale refers to the melodic minor scale $(1, 2, \flat3, 4, 5, 6, 7)$ with the scale being played the same ascending and descending (in classical theory, the natural minor scale is played whiel descending instead). The modes of this scale were first popularized in the bebop era of jazz and are used frequently over altered chords.

The Modes

Mode

Notes (Compared to Major Scale)

Example (Key of C Mel. Minor)

Mel. Minor

C Mel. Minor:

Dorian 2

D Dorian 2:

Lydian Augmented

E Lyd. Aug:

Lydian Dominant

(Mix.11)

F Lyd. Dom:

Mixolydian 6

G Mixolydian 6:

Locrian 2

(Aeolian 5)

A Locrian 2:

Altered Dominant

(Super Locrian)

B Alt. Dom:

PreviousHalf-Diminished: Locrian NextMelodic Minor

Last updated 5 years ago

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The Jazz Minor Scale

The Jazz Minor Scale refers to the melodic minor scale

(1, 2, \flat3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

with the scale being played the same ascending and descending (in classical theory, the natural minor scale is played whiel descending instead). The modes of this scale were first popularized in the bebop era of jazz and are used frequently over altered chords.