Why is the melodic minor scale different ascending and descending?

Why is the melodic minor scale different ascending and descending?

The reason why the ascending form of the melodic minor scale differs from its descending form is because the natural major and melodic minor scales are identical in their upper tetrachords. The relationship between both scales makes it possible for the melodic minor scale to be derived from the major scale.

What is the ascending rule in a melodic minor scale?

When ascending, the melodic minor’s formula is: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7, and when descending, the melodic minor’s formula is the same as the natural minor’s formula: 7 b6 5 4 b3 2 1. Essentially, the melodic minor is a combination of the minor scale and the major scale, much more so than the harmonic minor scale.

What is the point of the melodic minor scale?

This scale is a very useful and versatile scale for improvisers to know and not just for soloing over minor chords or tonalities. The melodic minor presents some nice harmonic options when you are looking to get away from just playing diatonically over common chord progressions in your solos.

Which scale has a lowered third scale degree in relation to the major scale?

melodic minor scale
First the traditional approach: When playing the ascending form of the melodic minor scale, only the 3rd scale degree is lowered by half-step. The scale is the same as the major scale with the exception of the lowered 3rd. When descending, the scale reverts to the natural minor form.

What minor scale is ascending descending?

The melodic minor scale is unique because it is different going up (ascending) than it is going down (descending). The ascending melodic minor scale has a raised 6th and 7th scale degree.

Why is Harmonic minor called Harmonic?

The scale is called the harmonic minor scale because it is a common foundation for harmonies (chords) in minor keys. For example, in the key of A minor, the dominant (V) chord (the triad built on the 5th scale degree, E) is a minor triad in the natural minor scale.

Why are there melodic and harmonic minor scales?

So why are there 3 minor scales? There are 3 minor scales, or more precisely, 3 variants of the minor scale because of how harmony and melody interact in tonal music. Composers change some notes of the minor scale to achieve a specific sound for a particular style. That word “variants” here is important.

When the melodic minor scale descends it is the same as a harmonic minor scale?

The harmonic minor scale is derivative of the minor scale where the seventh scale degree is raised by a half step. The melodic minor scale is a minor scale with raised sixth and seventh scale degrees, but only when ascending. A descending melodic minor scale is identical to a natural minor scale.

Why do we use the harmonic minor scale?

The harmonic minor is perfect for generating hip II-V-I lines because it has the b9 and b13 of the V7 chord embedded in it and it allows you to simplify the entire II-V-I into one single reductive scale. It works over all three chords and has a strong sense of tonality and unity.

What is melodic minor descending?

The melodic minor scale is a minor scale with raised sixth and seventh scale degrees, but only when ascending. A descending melodic minor scale is identical to a natural minor scale.

Why is the ascending form of the melodic minor scale different?

The reason why the ascending form of the melodic minor scale differs from its descending form is because the natural major and melodic minor scales are identical in their upper tetrachords. The relationship between both scales makes it possible for the melodic minor scale to be derived from the major scale.

What is the relationship between the major and minor scales?

Final Thoughts. The reason why the ascending form of the melodic minor scale differs from its descending form is because the natural major and melodic minor scales are identical in their upper tetrachords. The relationship between both scales makes it possible for the melodic minor scale to be derived from the major scale.

What is the difference between a descending and a major scale?

However, while descending, the upper tetrachord is played before the lower tetrachord in this order: The descending form of the C major scale and the C melodic minor scale have their first four notes in common and that’s why you can’t tell if a scale is the melodic minor scale or a major scale using its first four notes in the descending form.

What is the lower tetrachord of the minor scale?

The first four notes make up the lower tetrachord while the last four notes make up the upper tetrachord. The understanding of the tetrachords of the melodic minor scale will better your understanding of the reason why its descending form is different from its ascending form.