Using the C major scale as the foundation for all scales. Now learn how to alter the C major scale to create the C Melodic Minor Scale. The diagram below is for guitar but the note relationship or distances remains the same for all instruments.
Memorize and play the C Melodic Minor Scale. Just flat the E or third.
ALL scales repeat the same pattern up and down in tone. C major scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Numbers are given to correspond to the major scale degrees or positions.
C Major Scale: C=1/Root, D=2nd, E=3rd, F=4th, G=5th, A=6th, B=7th, C=8th/octave.
C Melodic Minor Scale: C=1/Root, D=2nd, E=3rd, F=4th, G=5th, A=6th, B=7th, C=8th/octave.
There is only one note difference from the C Major Scale to the C Melodic Minor Scale. The third (3rd) is flat or one half step (fret) lower in tone. C major= C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C.
C Melodic Minor= C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B and C
So now play the C major scale except on the third make it flat.
The note to note intervals are the same for all keys. This applies to any string, octave, position or instrument.
Memorize the note formula C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B and C. Using the note name chart below – play the C melodic minor scale starting from open low thick E string 1st fret up neck, then back down neck. Repeat this same process for each string. Remember to say note names out loud as you play each note up and then down in tone. Repeat this process for all 6 strings: Low E, then A, D, G, B and thin E string. The underlined fret number indicates dot positions: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 19, 21, 24
open 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Now play and say out loud the C melodic Minor scale note by note up and back each string.
Repeat this process for all strings.
F, G, A, B, C, D, Eb – Eb, D, C, B, A, G, F
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on 1st fret low thick E string.
A, B, C, D, Eb, F, G, A – A, G, F, Eb, D, C, B, A
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on open A to A 12th fret octave.
D, Eb, F, G, A, B, C, D – D, C, B, A, G, F, Eb, D
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on open D to D 12th fret octave.
G, A, B, C, D, Eb, F, G – G, F, Eb, D, C, B, A, G
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on open G to G 12th fret octave.
B, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B – B, A, G, F, Eb, D, C, B
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on open B to B 12th fret octave.
F, G, A, B, C, D, Eb – Eb, D, C, B, A, G, F
this is C Melodic Minor scale starting on 1st fret high thin E string.
Repeat this same process for bass, piano and any other instrument.
All materials for personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
Copyright © 2012