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VCE Music Performance Unit One 2010 Worksheet 7

The Melodic Minor Scale

A scale is a row of sounds stretching from any note to its

octave above or below. We need to know the Melodic Minor
Scales of A, B, C, D, E, F# and G. Scales can be written with
or without a key signature. If you are not using a key
signature then the accidentals need to be placed before the
notes on the stave. Melodic Minor scales are also related to
the Major key three semitones higher. They share the same
key signature as their relative major key too.
The Melodic Minor Scale comes in two forms – ascending and
descending. This scale has a raised 6th and 7th in the
ascending form and a flattened 6th and 7th in the descending
version.
Using A Melodic Minor as the example:-
A B C D E F# G# A (Ascending)
12 3456 7 8

AGFEDCBA
8765 4321

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Each note in the scale is known as a degree. Each degree is given both
a name and a number (in Roman numerals.)
I – Tonic
II – Supertonic
III – Mediant
IV – Sub-Dominant
V – Dominant
VI – Sub-Mediant
VII – Leading Note
VIII – Upper Tonic
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In any ascending melodic minor scale, semitones occur between the 2nd
and 3rd, and 7th and 8th. In the descending version, the semitones
appear between the 6th and the 5th and the 3rd and 2nd.

Below, are examples of all the melodic minor scales you need to know for
Unit One. Please copy out each scale twice. In the first example, mark
each semitone with a slur and use a key signature. In the second example
do not use a key signature and write in the scale degree numbers.
Melodic Minor scales have the same key signatures as their relevant
major keys.

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A Melodic Minor (C major)

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B Melodic Minor (D Major)

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C melodic Minor (Eb Major)

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D Melodic Minor (F major)

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E Melodic Minor (G major)

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F# Melodic Minor (A Major)

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G Melodic Minor (Bb Major)

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