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How to Play the Melodic Minor Scale on Guitar

The melodic minor scale is the darkest and most exotic of all jazz minor scales. I like to think
of this scale as a dorian scale with a major 7th. This note is very colorful and gives this scale
huge harmonic and melodic potential.

The cool thing about any mode of the melodic minor scale is they have no avoid notes.
Awesome right? This also means all modes and chords in melodic minor harmony are
interchangeable.

Learn one = learn them all.

Use this lesson to:

Learn basic modal theory.

Tune your ears to this mode’s unique sound.
Know how to improvise with it musically.
Have fun while you learn!

Melodic Minor Example

Can you see how the scale is like C dorian, but with a major 7th instead of a b7?

Fingering

Here is how to play this scale on the guitar, in two positions. Numbers indicate �ngers. The
white circle is the root note of the scale.

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Once again, see how it has a similar shape to the dorian mode? Can you see that there is just
the one note different? (You could also think of it as a major scale with a b3 if you prefer.)

When to Use the Melodic Minor Scale

tonic minor chords

min-maj7
min7
IVm chords in a major key.

Wait, I can play a min-maj7 scale on a min7 chord?

You can substitute any minor 7 chord for a min-maj7 chord and play the
melodic minor scale.

Why?

To add �avour.

And jazz is all about �avour. (Use your ears though, this works only in some
situations – usually on tonic minor chords).

How to Use the Melodic Minor Scale

So this scale is used mainly on min-maj7 chords. Your color notes (over a minor chord) are
the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 7th (really tasty).

Follow these 3 steps to get your ears around this scale:

1. Play it a few times, up and down.

2. Record a min-maj7 chord. Play over the scale and listen to how each note sounds.
3. Check out my lesson IV IVm to apply this scale.

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SCALE MELODIC MINOR

Chord Minor-major 7, min-maj9, min6

Notes R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7

C example C, D, Eb, F, G, A , B

Chord/ Guide b3rd and 7th

Tones

Color Tones 9th, 11th, 13th,, 7th

Avoid Notes none!

Sam's Tip The possibilities are endless with melodic minor

harmony. I recommend you explore this scale and it's

modes well - you won't regret it!

Keep Learning

To get your �ngers around the melodic minor scale, I recommend you check out How to
Practice Jazz Guitar Scales. Apply the patterns I use in that lesson to get your muscle
memory happening.

Remember – melodic minor scale modes are interchangeable. Spending some quality time
on this scale will be VERY bene�cial to you later down the road. Play around with it, and most
importantly – have fun!

More Free Melodic Minor Mode Lessons

Melodic Minor
Sus b9
Lydian Augmented
Lydian Dominant
Altered Scale
Locrian #2

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Choose Your Scale

How To Practice Scales

Major Scale Modes

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Mixolydian

Aeolian

Locrian

Melodic Minor Modes

Melodic Minor

Sus b9

Lydian Augmented

Lydian Dominant

Locrian #2

Altered Scale

Harmonic Minor
5th Mode Harmonic Minor Scale on Guitar

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