Music Composition DUMmIES

The melodic minor scale has different notes when the scale ascends than it

does when the scale descends (Figure 6-16).

It is like a major scale with a flatted third on the way up, and it is a natural

minor on the way down. This is so that it fits better with the movements of

chords in cadences(see Chapter 10 for more on cadences).

Exercises .........................................................................................................

1. Try to write a melody using notes from the C major scale while play-
   ing a G major chord underneath.
   The scale from G to G is G Mixolydian mode now. If you want, you could
   add a flat 7th (F natural) to the chord you are playing for a more playful-
   sounding combination.

&

œ œ

œ œ

œ œ#

œ# œ

& œ œ œ

œ œ

œ œ

œ

Figure 6-16:

The

A melodic

minor scale

is different

going up

than it is

coming

down.

&

œ œ

œ œ

œ œ

œ# œ

Figure 6-15:

The A

harmonic

minor scale

contains a

G sharp,

unlike the

A natural

minor scale.

66 Part II: Melody and Development