Interactive piano keyboard showing C Melodic Minor scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
C melodic minor (C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B) combines a minor 3rd (E♭) with a major 6th (A) and major 7th (B), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is essential in modern jazz improvisation, serving as the parent scale of the altered scale, lydian dominant, and other advanced modes. Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny explore C melodic minor extensively.
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 C Melodic Minor are: Cm, Dm, Ebaug, F, G, Adim, Bdim. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Melodic Minor?
C melodic minor (C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B) combines a minor 3rd (E♭) with a major 6th (A) and major 7th (B), creating the "jazz minor" scale. It is essential in modern jazz improvisation, serving as the parent scale of the altered scale, lydian dominant, and other advanced modes. Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny explore C melodic minor extensively.
What notes are in the C Melodic Minor?
The C Melodic Minor contains the notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B. This is a 7-note scale starting from C.
How many chords does the C Melodic Minor have?
The C Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Cm, Dm, Ebaug, F, G, Adim, Bdim.
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
C is at the 12 o'clock position. Related keys: G (dominant), F (subdominant), A (relative minor), D (supertonic), Bb (subtonic).