C melodic minor (ascending) scale
How to play the C melodic minor (ascending) scale
C Melodic minor (ascending)C · D · D♯ · F · G · A · B · CAscending form shown. Going down, the melodic minor uses the natural minor — the 6th and 7th drop back. Press play to hear it up and down.
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
C melodic minor (ascending) scale — notes and structure
The C melodic minor (ascending) scale raises the sixth and seventh of the minor scale — smoother than harmonic minor and central to jazz.
The C melodic minor (ascending) scale consists of the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B. Its interval structure is R–2–♭3–4–5–6–7 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · half · whole · whole · whole · whole · half — the shape that makes it the melodic minor (ascending) scale in any key.
Play the 7 notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B in order from the root C; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Chords in the C melodic minor (ascending) scale
Stack the scale’s own notes in thirds and you get these seven chords — the harmony available to you without leaving the scale.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the C melodic minor (ascending) scale?
- The C melodic minor (ascending) scale has the 7 notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B. It raises the sixth and seventh of the minor scale — smoother than harmonic minor and central to jazz.
- How many notes are in the C melodic minor (ascending) scale?
- 7 notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B.
- What is the melodic minor (ascending) scale used for?
- The melodic minor (ascending) scale raises the sixth and seventh of the minor scale — smoother than harmonic minor and central to jazz — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.
- What chords are in the C melodic minor (ascending) scale?
- Stacking the scale's own notes in thirds gives Cm (i), Dm (ii), D♯aug (III+), F (IV), G (V), Adim (vi°), Bdim (vii°).