Interactive piano keyboard showing Ab 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), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is primarily used in jazz and classical for its sophisticated, ambiguous character. A♭ melodic minor is more commonly encountered as G♯ melodic minor in practice.
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 Ab Melodic Minor are: Abm, Bbm, Baug, Db, Eb, Fdim, Gdim. 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), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is primarily used in jazz and classical for its sophisticated, ambiguous character. A♭ melodic minor is more commonly encountered as G♯ melodic minor in practice.
What notes are in the Ab Melodic Minor?
The Ab Melodic Minor contains the notes: Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, G. This is a 7-note scale starting from Ab.
How many chords does the Ab Melodic Minor have?
The Ab Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Abm, Bbm, Baug, Db, Eb, Fdim, Gdim.
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
Ab is at the 8 o'clock position. Related keys: Eb (dominant), C# (subdominant), F (relative minor), Bb (supertonic), F# (subtonic).