A melodic minor scale on piano
The A melodic minor scale on piano has 7 notes: A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, and G sharp (A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯). It uses 2 black keys: F♯, G♯.
- A 1
- B 2
- C ♭3
- D 4
- E 5
- F♯ F sharp 6
- G♯ G sharp 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A melodic minor scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A
- W
- B
- H
- C
- W
- D
- W
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- H
- A
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – H – W – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the melodic minor scale
Minor with major 6th and 7th (the jazz form). A minor sound, but bright.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | Am | Am(7M) | tonic |
| IIm | Bm | Bm7 | subdominant |
| III+ | C+ | C7M(#5) | tonic |
| IV | D | D7 | subdominant |
| V | E | E7 | dominant |
| VI° | F♯° | F♯m7(b5) | subdominant |
| VII° | G♯° | G♯m7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More A scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Melodic minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A melodic minor scale?
The notes of the A melodic minor scale are A, B, C, D, E, F sharp, and G sharp. It uses 2 black keys: F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the A melodic minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A melodic minor scale?
The chords of the key are Am, Bm, C+, D, E, F♯°, G♯°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.