Scale quality

melodic minor

Melodic minor is the minor scale with a raised sixth and seventh — the ascending form of the classical melodic minor, and the jazz minor of the modern improviser. The raised seventh gives a leading tone while the raised sixth keeps the gap to it smooth, so the scale resolves strongly without the exotic leap of harmonic minor. It is the parent of the melodic minor family and the sound of the m(maj7) chord. In jazz it functions as a tonic minor with brightness on top and darkness below, and every alteration of a dominant can be found among its degrees. Listen for the major sixth and seventh over the minor third.