The Melodic Minor Scale is a very common scale for Jazz, not used in many other styles, though a few modes of it are commonly used (the Super-locrian and the Lydian Dominant).

Quick Harmonic Analysis

It is derived from the Natural Minor Scale with a raised 6th and 7th degree but can also be thought of as a Major scale with a flattened 3rd.

In Classical music theory the melodic minor and natural minor are combined into one scale. The melodic minor is used when ascending the scale, the natural minor is used when descending the scale. This idea is not used in a jazz environment and in modern music is somewhat redundant, except in high school classical music study.

Shape and Chord Relationship

I have presented it here with the common CAGED chord tones in red so you can clearly see the relationship between the chord shape and the scale. It is a lot easier to find the scale around the shape, particularly when changing scale a lot (like in jazz) or playing modally.

The is no need to learn more shapes to play it's modes - modes are only these same scales but with tonal centre that is not the root. This will be discussed in another lesson, but for now, just get these shapes down really well.

Fingering

With each scale I have discussed my preferences for fingering the scale. There are many approaches and so long as you have a logical one, it will be fine. I have thought about these things a lot and think I have a compelling argument in favour of each finger decision, but please contact me (via the forum) if you disagree - I am certainly up for discussing it (how sad... get a life...).

I will also add the alternative shapes and fingerings that I know are in common usage and my reasons for choosing the ones I do. There is no right and wrong.

Scale Formula

The scale forumula for the major scale must be memorised, as you will use it often to work out chord tones. The formula describes the interval distances between each note of the scale.

T ^ S ^ T ^ T ^ T ^ T ^ S
(T=Tone, S= Semitone)

Comparison With Major Scale

C Major = C D E F G A B C (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1)
C Melodic Minor = C D Eb F G A B C (1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 1)

Tips for learning scales quickly, easily and perfectly

• DO IT SLOWLY AND GET IT RIGHT
Don't make any mistakes. Play it 4 times perfectly at a very slow speed and you will find you can speed it up without making mistakes and developing bad habits you will have to correct later.

• USE YOUR FINGER TIPS
Do not let your fingers "fold", use the tips the whole time, and definitely NO barrés at any point. Ever.

• ALWAYS START AND END ON THE LOWEST ROOT NOTE
T his will help train your ears into hearing the sound of the major scale, very important. So start on the lowest (pitched) root note, play up as far as you can, then go back down as low as you can, and then back up to the root note.

• LEARN THE POSITIONS (SHAPES) ONE AT A TIME
It is very important that you get all five of these positions down... eventually, but please start with one at a time - much much better to be able to use one scale shape and play a solo than play five up and down and not be able to do anything with them :)

So what is all this CAGED stuff?

There was lots of confusion about the CAGED system so I have made a series of lesson to help you out... but if you are up to learning this scale then I should not need to tell you about it really - you should have got this down years ago!!!

Get all the information you need about CAGED at TB-031 • The Caged System

Root Notes???

A root note gives the scale it's name. Look at any of the scales and arpeggios (and most chords) on this site and you will see an R on some notes. This is note that gives the scale it's note name.

For example
Look at Poistion 1 below and notice that the R is on the 6th string (played with the second finger). Whatever note you put that one becomes the name of the scale. So place your second finger at the 3rd fret and you will play the G Major Scale (because the note on the 3rd fret of the 6th string is the note G). Place the second finger on the 9th fret and you will play the C Major Scale (because the note at the 9th fret of the 6th string is the note C#)

The Scale Shapes

	Position 1 - E shape This is the most commonly learnt Melodic Minor scale position. It is pretty easy to play. Alternatives None that I know of. This is it. Note Starting on the lowest note will give you the Super Locrian mode (I call it the Altered Scale) which is one of the most common ways this scale is used.
	Position 2 - D shape This is what it is ;) Alternatives The most common alternative is to move the last note on the 5th string (played with 4th finger) over to the 4th string, and using the 1st finger. This will mean you have to slide up with your first finger to the next note, but that can be a funky effect, probably not best for speed though.
	Position 3 - C shape From the lowest note this will sound like the Lydian #5 mode - but you're going to start on the root note and hear it as the Major scale, aren't you? :). Alternatives None that I now of. This is it.
	Position 4 - A shape This should be the second position you learn. Don't forget to start on the root note, not the lowest note... Alternatives The most common alternative is to move the last note on the second string (played with 4th finger) to the first string (then played with 1st finger). I prefer this position because it stays close to the Major scale shape that we use and also it keeps the notes around the chord shape.
	Position 5 - G shape This is the last one :) Alternatives None that I know of...