Melodic minor scale and its related modes

Melodic minor scale and its related modes by Acousphere Toshi Hi! I am Acousphere Toshi. We can use many kinds of scales in jazz music. Here you can have the knowledge about "melodic minor scale" and its modes. Get the unique sound of melodic minor and try new ad-lib ideas!

Melodic minor scale is very important! We have a lot of ideas to play jazz music. And melodic minor scale is one of the most important scale we can use to put unique and nice sound into the music. We also have six modes related to melodic minor scale. Now you will see each of them in detail. The diagram of melodic minor scale (note) Double circle means the roots of the scale.

The modes related to melodic minor scale

At first, this is melodic minor scale.
Possibility : You can use it in min(maj)7th chords or min6th chords.
　　Root, 2nd, b3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th　: melodic minor
　
The second mode is dorian b2.
It is dorian with flatted second degree.
　　Root, b2nd, b3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, b7th　: dorian b2

The third mode is lydian #5.
It is lydian with sharped fifth degree.
Major7th(#5) chord is made from this scale.
　　Root, 2nd, 3rd, #4th, #5th, 6th, 7th　: lydian#5

The fourth mode is lydian b7.
It is lydian with flatted seventh degree.
Possibility : You can use this scale in sub-five chords.
　　Root, 2nd, 3rd, #4th, 5th, 6th, b7th　: lydian b7

The fifth mode is mixolydian b6.
It is mixolydian with flatted sixth degree.
(And it is also called mixolydian b13.)
　　Root, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, b6th, b7th　: mixolydian b6

The sixth mode is aeolian b5.
It is aeolian with flatted fifth degree.
Possibility : You can use it in min7th(b5) chords instead of locrian.
　　Root, 2nd, b3rd, 4th, b5th, b6th, b7th　: aeolian b5

The seventh mode is locrian b4.
It is locrian with flatted fourth degree.
It is known as super locrian or altered scale.
Possibility : You can use it in dom7th chords with scale-out feeling.
You also use it in diminished7th chords.
　　Root, b2nd, b3rd, b4th, b5th, b6th, b7th　: locrian b4, super locrian
　　Root, b2nd, #2nd, 3rd,#4th, #5th, b7th　: altered scale

Explore the possibilities of scales! When you read the book about the music theories, you may sometimes read sentences like "This scale can only be used in this situation". But, in real music, you can use any of them if you want in any situations you like. So create your own way of using scales! It is so fun to play unique phrases in ad-lib. Let's try and find your own!
Written by Acousphere Toshi Shimizu All rights reserved by Acousphere Guitar School http://www.acousphere.net