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SCALE · ON BASS GUITAR

A♭ Melodic Minor

The classical melodic minor — raised 6th and 7th ascending, reverts to natural minor descending. Two distinct half-step patterns in one scale.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A♭ Melodic Minor Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: EADG
35791215EADGFGA♭B♭C♭D♭E♭FGB♭C♭D♭E♭FGA♭B♭C♭E♭FGA♭B♭C♭D♭E♭FGA♭B♭C♭D♭E♭FGA♭B♭
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A♭ Melodic Minor scale?

The A♭ Melodic Minor scale uses the notes A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Melodic Minor scale formula?

The Melodic Minor scale follows the interval pattern W H W W W W H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A♭ to get the A♭ Melodic Minor scale.

What chords work over A♭ Melodic Minor?

Jazz minor's modes include the altered scale over V7alt and Lydian dominant over V7. Works well over m-maj7, m6, and the modern jazz minor sound.

How do I finger A♭ Melodic Minor on Bass Guitar?

On bass, scales follow the same position-pattern logic as guitar but with two-notes-per-string most often. Walking-bass-line construction draws on chord-tone-arpeggiation through the scale; see /walking-bass for the standalone surface (once it ships).

When would I use the Melodic Minor scale?

The classical melodic minor — raised 6th and 7th ascending, reverts to natural minor descending. Two distinct half-step patterns in one scale.