A♯ melodic minor scale
The A♯ melodic minor scale (also known as A-sharp melodic minor or A♯m melodic) is a sophisticated variation of the A♯ natural minor scale. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to the B♭ melodic minor scale. It features raised sixth and seventh degrees in its ascending form, while the descending form returns to the natural minor scale. Due to its complex notation, this scale is more commonly written and performed as B♭ melodic minor.
The ascending pattern follows: A♯ to B♯ (whole), B♯ to C♯ (half), C♯ to D♯ (whole), D♯ to E♯ (whole), E♯ to F𝄪 (whole), F𝄪 to G𝄪 (whole), and G𝄪 to A♯ (half). The descending form follows the natural minor scale: A♯ to G♯ (whole), G♯ to F♯ (whole), F♯ to E♯ (half), E♯ to D♯ (whole), D♯ to C♯ (whole), C♯ to B♯ (half), and B♯ to A♯ (whole).
In contemporary jazz applications, the A♯ melodic minor scale (more commonly used in its enharmonic form as B♭ melodic minor) is frequently used in both directions as the "jazz minor" scale, particularly over A♯m(maj7) chords. It serves as an essential source for modal harmony and altered dominant sounds. The scale shares important relationships with both the A♯ harmonic minor and F♯ major scales. While theoretically correct, its complex notation with double sharps makes it more practical to use its enharmonic equivalent, B♭ melodic minor, in most musical contexts.
A♯ melodic minor scale details
Information and technical details of the scale.
- Category
- western
- Type
- Heptatonic (7 notes per octave)
- Intervals
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 1
- Formula
- 2-1-2-2-2-2-1
- Also known as
- A♯m melodic scale, A-sharp minor melodic scale, A♯ jazz minor scale, A# melodic minor
Related scales
Here are some scales that are related to the A♯ melodic minor scale. Or browse all piano scales.
A♯ harmonic minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-3-1
A♯ major scale
2-2-1-2-2-2-1
A♯ natural minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-2-2