Music theory definition
Melodic minor
Minor with the 6th and 7th raised going up (and natural minor coming down).
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
Raise the 6th too
raises 6 and 7 going up.
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 7: Minor scales. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Melodic minor
Smoothing out the climb.
Related music terms
- Minor
- A family of scales and chords with a different sound from major. A basic minor chord has its middle note one half step lower than the major version.
- Natural minor
- The minor scale straight from the key signature: W H W W H W W.
- Harmonic minor
- Natural minor with the 7th raised, giving a leading tone.