Interactive piano keyboard showing F Melodic Minor scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
F melodic minor (F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E) combines a minor 3rd (A♭) with a major 6th (D) and major 7th (E), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in classical music (ascending form) and jazz (both directions) over Fm(maj7) chords. F melodic minor is the parent of the F altered and F lydian dominant modes.
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 F Melodic Minor are: Fm, Gm, Abaug, Bb, C, Ddim, Edim. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Melodic Minor?
F melodic minor (F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E) combines a minor 3rd (A♭) with a major 6th (D) and major 7th (E), producing the "jazz minor" scale. It is used in classical music (ascending form) and jazz (both directions) over Fm(maj7) chords. F melodic minor is the parent of the F altered and F lydian dominant modes.
What notes are in the F Melodic Minor?
The F Melodic Minor contains the notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E. This is a 7-note scale starting from F.
How many chords does the F Melodic Minor have?
The F Melodic Minor produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Fm, Gm, Abaug, Bb, C, Ddim, Edim.
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
F is at the 11 o'clock position. Related keys: C (dominant), Bb (subdominant), D (relative minor), G (supertonic), Eb (subtonic).