C melodic minor scale on bass
The C melodic minor scale has seven notes: C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B (1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7). A minor scale with a major 6th and 7th, or a major scale with a flat 3rd. The jazz minor: smooth over m6 and m(maj7) chords.
| Note | C | D | E♭ | F | G | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | 1 (root) | 2 | ♭3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Step to the next | whole | half | whole | whole | whole | whole | half |
7 positions to learn it in
Played three notes on every string, the C melodic minor scale has a position starting on each of its notes. They are good for speed, with the same picking pattern on every string. Press Play to hear each one, up and back down.
Chords that go with the C melodic minor scale
The chords on each note of the scale that use only its notes. Play over any of them and every note fits; C (Cm) is where it sounds at home.
| On the | Chord | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| root (C) | Cmhome | – |
| 2 (D) | Dmcolour | Dm7colour |
| ♭3 (E♭) | E♭augdaylight | – |
| 4 (F) | Fthe door | F7the door |
| 5 (G) | Gthe pull | G7the pull |
| 6 (A) | Adimthe edge | Am7♭5the edge |
| 7 (B) | Bdimthe edge | Bm7♭5the edge |
Scales with the same notes
Compare the C minor scale, its natural minor.
Questions
What notes are in the C melodic minor scale?
C, D, E♭, F, G, A and B. Its intervals from the root are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7, and the steps between its notes are W H W W W W H (W a whole step, H a half step).
What chords go with the C melodic minor scale?
The chords made only of its notes: Cm, Dm, E♭aug, F, G, Adim and Bdim, and as seventh chords Dm7, F7, G7, Am7♭5 and Bm7♭5. C is home: Cm is the chord it sounds most settled over.
The melodic minor scale in every key
Other scales in C
C majorC minorC minor pentatonicC major pentatonicC bluesC DorianC MixolydianC LydianC PhrygianC harmonic minorC Phrygian dominant
Practise it on a sheet of your own in the practice sheet maker, with a metronome and a drone. Every scale: bass scales. This scale on guitar, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.