Melodic Minor
(ascending), Jazz Minor
| 1 | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Melodic Minor
The Melodic Minor is irregular as it’s played differently depending on whether the scale is ascending or descending. Play the Natural Minor when descending the scale.
The Harmonic Minor created a strong pull from the Leading Tone (7) to the Tonic (1) - but, with a wide three-semitone gap between the sixth and seventh scale degrees, it was too exotic for some. The Melodic Minor raises the sixth (♭6 ➔ 6), evening out the interval distribution to create stronger melodies.
As the strong pull between the Leading Tone and Tonic was only necessary while accending, its descending form is the same as the Natural Minor scale. Blending these two scale forms creates a distinctive classical feel.
The Jazz Minor scale is the same as the ascending form of the Melodic Minor Scale - but is played the same in both directions.
Given the lack of minor intervals, you can think of this scale as The Major Scale with a Minor Third (♭3).