Interactive piano keyboard showing B Melodic Minor scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
B melodic minor (B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯) combines a minor 3rd (D) with a major 6th (G♯) and major 7th (A♯), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in jazz and fusion over Bm(maj7) chords and as the parent of the B altered scale for dominant resolution. B melodic minor has a tense, modern character valued in progressive jazz.
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 B Melodic Minor are: Bm, C#m, Daug, E, F#, G#dim, A#dim. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Melodic Minor?
B melodic minor (B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯) combines a minor 3rd (D) with a major 6th (G♯) and major 7th (A♯), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in jazz and fusion over Bm(maj7) chords and as the parent of the B altered scale for dominant resolution. B melodic minor has a tense, modern character valued in progressive jazz.
What notes are in the B Melodic Minor?
The B Melodic Minor contains the notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A#. This is a 7-note scale starting from B.
How many chords does the B Melodic Minor have?
The B Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Bm, C#m, Daug, E, F#, G#dim, A#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
B is at the 5 o'clock position. Related keys: F# (dominant), E (subdominant), Ab (relative minor), C# (supertonic), A (subtonic).