Interactive piano keyboard showing A Melodic Minor scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
A melodic minor (A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯) combines a minor 3rd (C) with a major 6th (F♯) and major 7th (G♯), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is one of the most important scales in modern jazz, used over Am(maj7) chords and as the parent of the A altered scale. A melodic minor has no flats, making it accessible for piano exploration.
Raising both the 6th and 7th of natural minor creates a hybrid scale — minor in quality (flat 3rd) but with major-scale brightness above the 5th. This duality makes it a jazz essential, generating the altered and lydian dominant modes used over ii–V–I progressions.
The diatonic chords in A Melodic Minor are: Am, Bm, Caug, D, E, F#dim, G#dim. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Melodic Minor?
A melodic minor (A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯) combines a minor 3rd (C) with a major 6th (F♯) and major 7th (G♯), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is one of the most important scales in modern jazz, used over Am(maj7) chords and as the parent of the A altered scale. A melodic minor has no flats, making it accessible for piano exploration.
What notes are in the A Melodic Minor?
The A Melodic Minor contains the notes: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#. This is a 7-note scale starting from A.
How many chords does the A Melodic Minor have?
The A Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Am, Bm, Caug, D, E, F#dim, G#dim.
What is the formula for the Melodic Minor?
The Melodic Minor follows the interval formula: W-H-W-W-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
A is at the 3 o'clock position. Related keys: E (dominant), D (subdominant), F# (relative minor), B (supertonic), G (subtonic).