The Melodic Minor Scale
In the A melodic minor scale the 6th and 7th notes are sharpened when ascending and returned to natural when descending. This is the way the melodic minor is used in Classical music. However, in Jazz and other more modern styles, the melodic minor descends the same way it ascends. An easy way to think of the ascending melodic minor is as a major scale with a flattened third degree.
When playing music in minor keys, it is common to use notes and chords from all three types of minor scales. Here is an example. This one also contains one chromatic note (A# or Bb) as part of a repeating bass run.
The Six Eight Time Signature
This is the six eight time signature.
There are six eighth notes in one bar of ) time.
The six eighth notes are divided into two groups of three.
The following song "House of the Rising Sun" is written in ) time. This example features an arpeggio style accompaniment. Notice the use of bass runs once again. Look through the chords and see which ones come from each type of minor scale.
