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A melodic minor scale

The A melodic minor scale is made of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7.

Minor · 7 notes

Note names
  1. 1A
  2. 2B
  3. ♭3C
  4. 4D
  5. 5E
  6. 6F♯
  7. 7G♯

PatternW – H – W – W – W – W – H(W = whole step, H = half step)

Three variants with a minor third: natural, harmonic (raised seventh) and melodic (raised sixth and seventh). Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

The minor with a raised 6th and 7th, that is a major scale with a minor 3rd. In classical music it goes up this way and comes down as a natural minor; in jazz (jazz minor) it uses the same notes both ways and is the source of many modern scales.

Used overAm(maj7)Am6

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Chords built on the scale

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A melodic minor scale?
The notes are A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯.
What is the pattern of the A melodic minor scale?
The sequence of steps is W – H – W – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7.
Which chords is the A melodic minor scale used over?
It is used over Am(maj7), Am6: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.