Scale
F Melodic Minor Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E
Root: F
Intervals
1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7
How it is built
This scale starts on F and applies the intervals 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
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Guide and musical context
About F Melodic Minor Scale
F Melodic Minor Scale uses the notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E. Its character is minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh.
Character and sound
Minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh.
Musical context and history
The ascending melodic-minor form raises scale degrees six and seven. Harmodex uses that form in both directions, as is common in jazz theory and modern practice, rather than reverting to natural minor when descending.
How and where it is used
It is central to modern jazz and also appears in minor-key harmony, improvisation and altered-dominant vocabulary.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on F. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 and, from F, produces the notes F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D · E.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F Melodic Minor Scale?
The notes are F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Minor yet smoother in its upper range because of major sixth and seventh. It is central to modern jazz and also appears in minor-key harmony, improvisation and altered-dominant vocabulary.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.