Jazz Theory 18 The MINOR SCALES Overview The Melodic minor scale Five minor 7-note scales Uses of minor scales Im - ImM7 - Im7 - VIø - bVImaj7 - V7 When You're not there (song) Quiz - Quiz Answers Ear test 23 - Answers Lesson Material - General files Jazz Theory lessons online

JT 18.1 - The Melodic minor scale

The melodic minor scale is (like the harmonic minor scale) derived from the natural minor scale by altering two notes.

This time both the b6 and b7 are raised a semitone.

Audio 1
(I play the Natural minor scale first, then the melodic minor scale.)

Below is the C melodic minor scale displayed in the major key signature (for C : no sharps or flats).
This illustrates the difference between the melodic minor scale and the major scale with the same tonic.

It shows that you can think of the the melodic minor scale (for the purpose of memorising the scale) as a major scale with a b3.

To the ears of 17th, 18th and 19th Century classical music lovers the melodic minor scale sounded fine when played in ascending order. But descending along the scale (and descending melodic phrases composed from it) was perceived as not agreeable (dissonant). In the Classical version the melodic scale was therefore combined with the natural minor scale. The melodic minor scale was used for ascending musical passages. The natural minor scale was used for descending musical passages. In Jazz the melodic minor scale and its modes (see Lesson 20) are used both ascending and descending, like all other scales.

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JT 18.2 - Five minor 7-note scales

A minor scale can be defined as any scale with a minor scale-tone tonic chord but without a major 3rd (measured from the scale tonic).

In other words the scale must contain, measured from the tonic :

• a minor 3rd - m3

• a perfect 5th - p5

• and no major 3rd - no M3

JT 18.3 - Uses of the minor scales

Below a brief overview of the most common uses for the various minor scales in Jazz improvisation.

1. Dorian mode
This is by far the most commonly used minor scale for Jazz improvisation.
Use the Dorian mode over minor chords in these settings.

1. for isolated minor 7th chords : Cm7

2. in all IIm7 - V7 segments : Cm7 - F7

3. when preceded by V7 : G7 - Cm7 or Dø - G7 - Cm7

4. when preceded by 1 or 2 other minor chords : (Dm7 -) Gm7 - Cm7
   (in this case Cm7 is part of a scale-tone chord progression segment of a major scale)

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2. Harmonic minor
This scale is never used over minor 7th chords and only occasionally over minor triads.

Use this scale over al IIø - V7 segments in songs.

In the segment Gø - C7 use :

G - Ab - Bb - C - Db - E - F - G (IImode F harmonic minor) over Gø (IIø)

C - Db - E - F - G - Ab - Bb - C (Vmode F harmonic minor) over C7 (V7)

Use the V mode of the harmonic scale over all V7 chords in typically minor songs.

Use the Dorian mode for the minor 7th chord down stream on the Circle of Fifths.
Use the Aeolian mode for the upstream m7 chord.
Both modes use the same scale tones.

For example for a combination of Cm7 and Fm7 chords use :

C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C (C Aeolian mode) : for Cm7 (VIm7)

F - G - Ab - Bb - C - D - Eb - F (F Dorian mode) : for Fm7 (IIm7)

Its great attraction in Jazz are the modes derived from the melodic minor scale. These are commonly used for altered dominant chords.

JT 18.4 : Im - ImM7 - Im7 - VIø - bVImaj7 - V7

The minor Major 7th chord is the scale-tone 7th chord built on the tonic of the harmonic minor scale (and also of the melodic minor scale).

Its main use is as a passing chord between a minor triad and a minor 7th chord. This chord sequence produces a stepwise (semitone) motion from C --> B --> Bb. Cm = C - Eb - G - C CmM7 = C - Eb - G - B Cm7 = C - Eb - G - Bb This idea is followed through in a popular minor chord progression used for some of the most beautiful Jazz ballads. Famous examples are : My Funny Valentine In a Sentimental Mood This Masquerade Feelings What are you doing with the rest of Your life ? It don't mean a Thing (up tempo Jazz tune)

The progression goes like this :

Audio 3

The chords produce a continuous line of chord tones that descends stepwise in semitones through the entire progression.

In C minor :

This line is most commonly used as a moving bass line.

JT 18.5 - When You're not there (song)

When You're not there is one of the songs I wrote based on this lovely progression.

Keyboard players use the following left hand voicings :

Audio 4

You can use several minor scales for improvisation over this song.

I suggest the following scales :

JT 18.6 - Quiz

A.
Convert these natural minor scales into melodic minor scales by altering two notes.
1. E F# G A B C D E

2. G A Bb C D Eb F G

3. A B C D E F G A

4. D E F G A Bb C D

5. F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F

B.
Convert these major scales into melodic minor scales by altering one note in each scale.
1. G A B C D E F# G

2. A B C# D E F# G# A

3. Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

4. F# G# A# B C# D# E# F#

5. Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb

C.
Identify these minor scales.
1. D E F G A Bb C# D

2. Bb C Db Eb F G Ab Bb

3. A Bb C D E F G A

4. G A Bb C D Eb F G

5. B C D E F# G A B

6. F G Ab Bb C Db E F

7. E F# G A B C# D# E

8. Eb F Gb Bb Cb D Eb

D.
Write out the progression Im - ImM7 - Im7 - VIø - bVImaj7 - V7 for the minor keys of Em, Am, Dm, Gm and Fm.

E.
Mark the melodic minor scale in all keys on the Keyboard Diagrams.

Use the formula : - t - s - t - t - t - t - s -

Like this for the E melodic minor scale :

F.
Write the notes and note numbers of the melodic minor scale in all keys on the Scale Letters Diagrams.

Use the note numbers : 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 1

G.
Mark the natural minor scale (Aeolian mode) in all keys on the Keyboard Diagrams.

Use the formula : - t - s - t - t - s - t - t -

H.
Write the notes and note numbers of the natural minor scale (Aeolian mode) in all keys on the Scale Letters Diagrams.

Use the note numbers : 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 1

JT 18.7 - Ear test 23

Audio Demos of the five C minor scales :

1. Dorian mode 2. Harmonic minor scale 3. Natural minor scale 4. Melodic minor scale 5. Phrygian mode

-t - s - t - t - t - s - t - -t - s - t - t - s - 3s - s - -t - s - t - t - s - t - t - -t - s - t - t - t - t - s - -s - t - t - t - s - t - t -

(1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7 - 1) (1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b6 - 7 - 1) (1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 1) (1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 1) (1 - b3 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 1)

Single Items test
Each number plays one of the above C minor scales :

Ear test 23 - minor scales.
Each scale is played twice, ascending only.

JT 18.8 - Lesson Material