Scale · Melodic Minor
C Melodic Minor scale
The C melodic minor scale runs C D E♭ F G A B — the formula 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7, in steps of W H W W W W H (W a whole tone, H a semitone). Coming down it is spelled as the natural minor: C B♭ A♭ G F E♭ D C. The right hand plays it 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and the left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, over one octave.
- Notes
- C D E♭ F G A B
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W H W W W W H
- Relative major
- E♭ Major
On the keyboard
The numbers on the keys are the right-hand fingering; 1 is the thumb.
Fingering, one octave
| Degree | Note | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | D | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | E♭ | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | F | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | G | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | A | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | B | 4 | 2 |
| 8 | C | 5 | 1 |
Ascending, right hand 1–2–3–1–2–3–4–5; left hand 5–4–3–2–1–3–2–1. Descending, each hand plays the same fingers in reverse.
Coming down
The melodic minor raises its 6th and 7th on the way up and lets them fall on the way down, so it descends as the natural minor: C B♭ A♭ G F E♭ D C.
The key of C Minor
This scale is the key of C Minor: its key signature, the seven chords built on these degrees, and the progressions that use them.
C in the other forms
Melodic Minor scales on every root
Part of the scale reference. See also the chords and the keys.