Melodic Minor Scale Ear Training
The melodic minor scale is unique because it changes depending on whether you are going up or down. It bridges the gap between minor sadness and major brightness in a beautiful, classical way.
The structure of Melodic Minor
In classical theory, the melodic minor scale raises the 6th and 7th degrees when ascending (making the top half sound exactly like a major scale), but reverts to the natural minor when descending.
In jazz theory, the "jazz minor" scale keeps the raised 6th and 7th degrees in both directions. BananaTone uses the jazz/ascending form: it's a minor scale with a major 6th and major 7th.
How it sounds
It starts out dark and sad (because of the minor third), but then surprisingly finishes bright and heroic (because of the major 6th and 7th). It feels like a story that starts in tragedy but ends in triumph.
Comparing the Minor Scales
- Natural Minor: Completely dark.
- Harmonic Minor: Dark, but with a sudden, exotic Middle Eastern jump at the end (raised 7).
- Melodic Minor: Starts dark, smoothly transitions into bright/major at the end (raised 6 and 7).
Ready to practice?
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