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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    3. Scale Library
    5. F sharp
    7. Melodic minor

    F sharp Melodic minor

    The melodic minor scale uses formula 1-2-♭3-4-5-6-7 and differs from natural minor by raising ♭6 and ♭7 to 6 and 7.

    Guitar diagrams

    Piano diagrams

    Which intervals and notes are in the F sharp Melodic minor scale?

    Intervals from the tonic that build this scale step by step.

    Which chords can you play on the F sharp Melodic minor scale?

    Diatonic chords on each degree of this scale.

    To which mode does F sharp Melodic minor belong?

    Related modes that use the same notes with a different tonal center.

    Related scales for F sharp Melodic minor

    Explore scales that share many of the same notes and compare how their tonal center changes the sound.

    Practice the melodic minor scale

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    Sheet music

    Practice the melodic minor scale

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    DegreeTriadSeventhExtendedScale
    I
    F♯
    m
    F♯
    m/ma7
    F♯
    mM9
    		F sharp Melodic minor
    II
    F♯
    m7
    		F sharp Dorian ♭2
    III
    F♯
    maj7♯5
    		F sharp Lydian Augmented
    IV
    F♯
    M
    F♯
    7
    		F sharp Lydian Dominant
    V
    F♯
    M
    VI
    VII

    The melodic minor scale is a minor system with a brighter upper structure than natural minor. In modern theory and jazz usage, it is most often treated as a single ascending form with raised 6 and 7. This gives it a flexible sound between minor color and major-leading-tone clarity.

    Construction and formula

    Melodic minor follows the interval formula 1-2-♭3-4-5-6-7, with step pattern W-H-W-W-W-W-H. In A melodic minor, the notes are A-B-C-D-E-F♯-G♯. Compared with natural minor (1-2-♭3-4-5-♭6-♭7), the defining change is that ♭6 and ♭7 are raised to 6 and 7.

    Classical practice often distinguishes ascending melodic minor from descending forms, while contemporary jazz and modal practice usually keeps this single form in both melodic and harmonic thinking.

    Musical usage

    Melodic minor is essential in jazz harmony because it supports several advanced modal colors and altered dominant sounds through its derived modes. It is also useful in composition when you want minor identity with stronger melodic pull and smoother voice-leading than pure natural minor.

    Melodically, the raised 6 and 7 reduce the gap-heavy feel of natural minor and make upward lines more directed. Harmonically, it opens access to rich tensions while preserving a clear tonal center.

    Examples

    • Jazz improvisation and chord-scale language over minor-major contexts.
    • Modern harmony with altered dominant extensions via melodic minor modes.
    • Film and contemporary writing that blends minor mood with forward melodic pull.
    • Technical studies comparing natural, harmonic, and melodic minor forms.

    In practice

    Practice melodic minor against natural minor on the same tonic, listening specifically to ♭6/♭7 versus 6/7. Then write short lines that highlight the contrast between minor third and major seventh to internalize its hybrid color.

    For improvisation, map melodic minor to chord types and modal functions rather than treating it as an isolated fingering pattern. For composition, use it when you want minor tonality with stronger directional motion and expanded harmonic options.

    F♯
    7♭13
    F sharp Mixolydian flat sixth
    F♯
    m7♭5
    F sharp Locrian ♯2
    F♯
    dim
    F♯
    m7♭5
    F♯
    7♯9♭13
    F sharp Altered
    IntervalsemitonesNote
    Perfect unison0F♯
    Major second2G♯
    Minor third3A
    Perfect fourth5B
    Perfect fifth7C♯
    Major sixth9D♯
    Major seventh11E♯
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    F sharp Minorm, min, -Beginner
    F sharp Fifth5Beginner
    F sharp Suspended secondsus2Beginner
    F sharp Suspended second and fourthsus24, sus4add9Beginner
    F sharp Suspended fourthsus4, susBeginner
    m/ma7, m/maj7, mM7, mMaj7, m/M7, -Δ7, mΔ, -^7, -maj7Easy
    m6, -6Easy
    madd9Easy
    M7sus4Easy
    M9sus4Easy
    madd4Intermediate
    m69, -69Intermediate
    mM9, mMaj9, -^9Guru
    F sharp Minor major seventh
    F sharp Minor sixth
    F sharp Minor add ninth
    F sharp Major seventh suspended fourth
    F sharp Major ninth suspended fourth
    F sharp Minor add fourth
    F sharp Minor six-nine
    F sharp Minor major ninth
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    F sharp Minor six pentatonic-Intermediate
    F sharp Flat three pentatonickumoiExpert
    F sharp Minor major seven pentatonic-Guru
    F sharp Minor hexatonic-Guru
    F sharp Ritusen-Guru