F melodic minor scale on piano
The F melodic minor scale on piano has 7 notes: F, G, A flat, B flat, C, D, and E (F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E). It uses 2 black keys: A♭, B♭.
- F 1
- G 2
- A♭ A flat ♭3
- B♭ B flat 4
- C 5
- D 6
- E 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (F) 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 F 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
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
- W
- E
- H
- F
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 | Fm | Fm(7M) | tonic |
| IIm | Gm | Gm7 | subdominant |
| III+ | A♭+ | A♭7M(#5) | tonic |
| IV | B♭ | B♭7 | subdominant |
| V | C | C7 | dominant |
| VI° | D° | Dm7(b5) | subdominant |
| VII° | E° | Em7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More F 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 F melodic minor scale?
The notes of the F melodic minor scale are F, G, A flat, B flat, C, D, and E. It uses 2 black keys: A♭, B♭.
What is the formula of the F 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 F melodic minor scale?
The chords of the key are Fm, Gm, A♭+, B♭, C, D°, E°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.