Interactive piano keyboard showing Bb 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), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in jazz over B♭m(maj7) chords and as the parent of the B♭ altered scale. B♭ melodic minor sits well on wind instruments for advanced jazz improvisation.
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 Bb Melodic Minor are: Bbm, Cm, Dbaug, Eb, F, Gdim, Adim. 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), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in jazz over B♭m(maj7) chords and as the parent of the B♭ altered scale. B♭ melodic minor sits well on wind instruments for advanced jazz improvisation.
What notes are in the Bb Melodic Minor?
The Bb Melodic Minor contains the notes: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, A. This is a 7-note scale starting from Bb.
How many chords does the Bb Melodic Minor have?
The Bb Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Bbm, Cm, Dbaug, Eb, F, Gdim, Adim.
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
Bb is at the 10 o'clock position. Related keys: F (dominant), Eb (subdominant), G (relative minor), C (supertonic), Ab (subtonic).