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The minor melodic scale is one of the more interesting scales used in modern music, especially in jazz. Infact, in its modal development, it is widely used in its seventh degree (called superlocrian mode), for the huge success of its particular sound in improvisational jazz. We will talk more about this later. Above all, its fundamental to understand how the minor melodic scale is constructed, by briefly returning to its origin, a subject that is discussed in detail in the theory section of that scale.
In modern music, the minor melodic scale is often defined as the real minor melodic, due to its importance in the melodic execution of a solo, in particular for its possibility to be used on altered dominant chords. The easiest way to understand its construction is to compare it to the major scale, in that the difference is only one degree, more precisely the III°, which in the minor melodic scale is lowered by a half step with respect to its relative major. We can see how this is possible, by looking at the differences between the major scale (at left) and the minor melodic scale (at right), that are in the scale of C.
As you can see, the III° (E note) of the major scale is lowered to 1st in the minor melodic, going to Eb. This is valid for all scales. At this point we can look at the fingerings.
The scale used is C, which lends itself to the analysis thanks to the natural notes (besides one), and is therefore easier to learn. The main fingerings are developed using the three notes per string system already seen in the major scales. Pay attention to the use of the nomenclature of the positions, in that you could find one position (the second, for example) and even play one note on the first fret. In this case you must maintain the position, the second, and extending the index finger to the first fret without moving the hand.
The names of the various fingerings are and must be intended as a personal criteria to "file" those fingerings. Consequently, every scale could be transported to the other scales, making reference to the root (the note in blue on the graph), starting the execution from the lowest root, which is that closest to the sixth string, and decending to the lowest and then returning to the original starting root. Please follow the recommended fingerings, in that they could cause problems due to the numerous position changes.
The numbers on the strings obviously indicate the fingers to use, while the roman numerals placed below the graph indicate the reference position for the lowest root. This also if reading the explanation of the fingerings, you will see more positions within the same fingering. Regarding the construction of the fingerings, we will always use three notes per string. Finally, I would like to remind you to use alternate picking.
Min Mel 1
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The first fingering is spaced over seven frets, also considering the extension of the left hand on the sixth string. The fingering is in the second position, (indicated by the roman numeral), and is done starting from the root on the 5th string with the 2nd finger. This for the 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. |
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Min Mel 2
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A fingering that is spaced over six frets, developed in the fourth position on all the strings, except the first string which is in the fifth position. Be aware of the fact that in the three low strings, the index finger plays one fret behind. |
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Min Mel 3
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Two effective work positions, the fifth (the four low strings) and the seventh for the two high strings. Pay attention to the finger-stretching of the little finger that goes out of position on the fourth string. |
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Min Mel 4
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Two effective work positions, the seventh (the four low strings) and eighth for the two high strings, with again a seven fret fingering. |
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Min Mel 5
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As in fingering 2, also in this case the index finger is out of position, this time on the three low stings. On the first two strings, you work one position ahead (the tenth). |
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Min Mel 6
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On the fifth and third strings, the little finger is out of position, while on the first string its the index finger. Basically, there are two positions for the left hand (tenth and twelfth). |
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Min Mel 7
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Another seven fret fingering, with the index finger playing one fret behind on the sixth string (eleventh fret in the twelfth position), on the third string (twelfth fret in the thirteenth position), while the little finger moves one fret ahead on the first string. Basically, there are two positions for the left hand (12th and 13th). |
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