Modes of the Melodic Minor

[Jazzin']

A friend of mine was interested in the Super-Locrian scale, I was suddenly interested too. So I did some research and found a post from a random music related forum regarding the modes of the melodic minor since that's where the Super-Locrian mode comes from. I want to share it with the TB community because it's very interesting. This is what I found.

Wow, that's a lot of M's.

Anyway, since there doesn't seem to be any lessons on the modes of the melodic minor, I though I'd make one. Here we go:

M..m..mm..Modes..of the..melodic...what now?

An introduction to modes:

Perhaps you're familiar with the modes of the major scale. The major scale, you'll recall, has these intervals: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. Well, the melodic minor scale is only one interval off from that. It's intervals are: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 1.

Now, from the major scale, you can make seven modes. The first being, obviously, major. Or also known as Ionian. You already know the intervals of the Ionian mode, so here are the intervals of the other six in the major scale: The second is Dorian, 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 1. The third, Phrygian is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. Fourth, the Lydian is 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 1. Fifth is Mixolydian, 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 1. Sixth, Aeolian (also known as Minor, or Natural Minor) is 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 1. And lastly, number seven is Locrian, 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 1.

Unfortunately, if you are completely new to this, taking more time to explain the Major modes would be a lesson in itself. For more on this, a great lesson can be found here (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum...readid=224456).

Introduction the modes of the Melodic Minor scale:

In the same way that the Major scale has seven modes derived from it, so does the Melodic Minor scale.

As we've learned earlier, the Melodic Minor scale is only one note off from the Major scale. The difference is the presence of a flat 3rd, rather than a regular third.

Because of this one note difference, all the modes of the Melodic Minor will be one note different from their corresponding Major modes.

Finally, the MODES!

Here are the names of the seven melodic minor modes: 1) Melodic Minor, 2) Dorian b2, 3) Lydian Augmented, 4) Lydian Dominant, 5) Mixolydian b6, 6) Half-Diminished, 7) Altered.

1. The Melodic Minor: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 1
In jazz, the m7 chord is most common among minor chords. However, the min Maj 7 chord is also quite commonplace. A min Maj 7 chord has a flat 3rd in it to make it min, but it also has the regular 7th in it, reminiscent of a Maj 7th chord. Recall that the melodic minor mode has a flat third, as well as a regular seventh in it. This makes it a perfect choice for soloing over min Maj 7th chords, in place of a Dorian mode for m7 chords.

2. Dorian b2: 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 1 (a.k.a. Javanese)
The fact that this mode doesn't have a unique name reflects the frequency of it's use. It isn't used very often, but it fits well over sus9b9 chords. Just make sure the b3 is avoided when soloing.

3. Lydian Augmented: 1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7 1 (a.k.a. Super-Lydian)
The Lydian Augmented mode is a lydian scale with a sharpened fifth. It it commonly used over Major + chords.
A Major + chord is a Maj 7th chord with a #5 and #11.

4. Lydian Dominant: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7 1 (a.k.a Mixolydian #11, Overtone)
A very common alteration to a Dom 7th chord is adding a #11. And this mode fits perfectly over a 7th #11 chord. If you're looking to add some colour to a regular Dom 7th chord, soloing over it with a Lydian Dominant will work too.

5. Mixolydian b6: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7 (a.k.a. Hindu)
This is another very seldomly used scale. It can be used, however, over a Dom b13 chord.

6. Half-Diminished: 1 2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 (a.k.a Aeolian b5, Locrian (nat)2)
This is a scale that corresponds to the min7b5 chord, a common chord in jazz, and hence, a very useful mode in jazz music.

7. Altered: 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 b7 (a.k.a. Locrian b4, Super-Locrian)
The Altered mode is the result of adding all possible alterations to the Mixolydian Scale. It can be used over an alt 7th chord.

And those are your Melodic Minor modes.

-Mike :rasta:

[metalguy2]

This post effin rocks!

[steveb98]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

A friend of mine was interested in the Super-Locrian scale, I was suddenly interested too. So I did some research and found a post from a random music related forum regarding the modes of the melodic minor since that's where the Super-Locrian mode comes from. I want to share it with the TB community because it's very interesting. This is what I found.

I have gotton a lot of milage out of the Lydian b7, and Altered Scale.

The Lydian b7 can work on any dominant 7 with natural 9's, especially non-diatonic dominants. The Altered Scale fits what the name implies dominant with altered 5's and 9's.