Melodic minor scale

[Ant1991]

Hey guys id like to learn this scale someone help me out.

[Mike7771]

Originally Posted by Ant1991

Hey guys id like to learn this scale someone help me out.

The formula is 1-2-b3-4-5-6-7 which is basicly the major scale with a b3rd. You can find fingerings for this scale at my site in the scales section of the full fretboard finder.

Good luck,
Mike
http://www.guitarknowledgenet.com

[crevis]

Are you thinking of the harmonic minor, I never found much use for the melodic minor, its allright to mix with a major prgression but you can do the same thing and more with a harmonic minor.

[vette6600]

Originally Posted by crevis

Are you thinking of the harmonic minor, I never found much use for the melodic minor

there is, in fact, much use for melodic minor. here's an easy one to try

static dominant 7th chord - instead of thinking about mixolydian, try lydian dominant (1,2,3,#4,5,6,b7). you can view this mode as lydian with a b7, or mixolydian with a #4.

[eelblack2]

Originally Posted by Mike7771

The formula is 1-2-b3-4-5-6-7 which is basicly the major scale with a b3rd. You can find fingerings for this scale at my site in the scales section of the full fretboard finder.

Good luck,
Mike
http://www.guitarknowledgenet.com

Just to be nerdy in the traditional sense it is smiled upon to ascend with the above steps but descend naturally, however a lot of modern improv guys use the raised 6th and 7th both ascending and descending.

[ChopTart]

Originally Posted by eelblack2

Just to be nerdy in the traditional sense it is smiled upon to ascend with the above steps but descend naturally, however a lot of modern improv guys use the raised 6th and 7th both ascending and descending.

I've heard of that "descend naturally" rule...why is that? What was the reasoning there?

[crevis]

Originally Posted by ChopTart

I've heard of that "descend naturally" rule...why is that? What was the reasoning there?

I dont think it should be a rule, its the best way to end a section where youre using the scale but I dont see the point if you arent done using the scale.

[vette6600]

Originally Posted by ChopTart

I've heard of that "descend naturally" rule...why is that? What was the reasoning there?

to my understanding, the natural 7th is used when ascending to provide the leading tone to the root of the scale. so, i imagine when you're desceding that leading tone is not as necessary. like eelblack said, this 'rule' is not really followed much in modern music

[SirLoyal]

The whole "ascending/descending" thing with the melodic minor is really antiquated, especially in the jazz/improvisational world.

It's a matter of simplifiying things, and not having two names for the same ****....

At the berkely school of music, they call the melodic minor scale (ascending and descending the same way) the true or real melodic minor scale and teach it as such. Stanley Jordan is a fervent advocate of learning it ascending and descending the same way, as well as many others.

Many refer to it, when used ascending/descending symmetrically, as the jazz melodic minor scale as well.

To me, it is easier to designate those times when you want to descend in the natural minor scale by designating it as such....

And yes, that dude's right, the original reasoning was that it was used to lead up to the leading tone or major 7th, and then to go back down in a way that would incorporate the dominant seventh, presumably ending on the V chord before resolving... In today's world, music doesn't move so predictably, and so the melodic minor has legs of it's own in improvisational uses.

One thing I have noticed, that doesn't quite fit "correctly" with traditional music theory, is that over a major dominant chord, a major 7th and a minor third can sound really cool... just one of those things, I guess... give it a try.

peace!

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

^^^^^Now that was a great explanation!!!! ^^^^^^^^

[eelblack2]

Originally Posted by SirLoyal

The whole "ascending/descending" thing with the melodic minor is really antiquated, especially in the jazz/improvisational world.

It's a matter of simplifiying things, and not having two names for the same ****....

At the berkely school of music, they call the melodic minor scale (ascending and descending the same way) the true or real melodic minor scale and teach it as such. Stanley Jordan is a fervent advocate of learning it ascending and descending the same way, as well as many others.

Many refer to it, when used ascending/descending symmetrically, as the jazz melodic minor scale as well.

To me, it is easier to designate those times when you want to descend in the natural minor scale by designating it as such....

And yes, that dude's right, the original reasoning was that it was used to lead up to the leading tone or major 7th, and then to go back down in a way that would incorporate the dominant seventh, presumably ending on the V chord before resolving... In today's world, music doesn't move so predictably, and so the melodic minor has legs of it's own in improvisational uses.

One thing I have noticed, that doesn't quite fit "correctly" with traditional music theory, is that over a major dominant chord, a major 7th and a minor third can sound really cool... just one of those things, I guess... give it a try.

peace!

Bingo. Sorry I didnt get back to this thread earlier. In addition to the above, the melodic minor "shape" used symetrically has quite a few really cool improv uses if you play with it in a few non "traditional" ways.

Ex:
Key Sig C Major - currently on the "I" chord try going up a 5th and use the melodic minor scale pattern (symmetrically) yielding notes G, A, Bb, C, D, E(natural), F# - Lydian Dominant FTW wuwu funky/fresh!

Play around with moving the scale shape up and down different intervals. Some experiments will sound great some will sound bleh. Its an awesome improv trick to have in your bag and a great way to explore some non key signature tonal colors.

[DangerStorm]

IF you have a fast internet connection...........

go to http://guitarcomputer.com/live/?book Click on "Scales" about midway down and wait till it loads....then....click on "melodic minor with fretboard memorization"...wait until that loads then you'll see a big title page "Melodic Minor Scale....click that or "next" and start reading.

I hope this helps.....if not oh well I tried

DS

[rivera213]

Classical Theory-
Ascend with sharpened 6th & 7th notes of the Natural Minor scale (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6#, 7#). Descend with Natural Minor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Jazz Theory-
Ascend AND descend with the raised 6th & 7th notes of Natural Minor (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6#, 7#).