B♭ melodic minor scale
The B♭ melodic minor scale (also known as Bb melodic minor or B♭m melodic) is a sophisticated variation of the B♭ natural minor scale. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to the A♯ melodic minor scale. Following the melodic minor pattern, it features raised sixth and seventh degrees (G natural and A natural) in its ascending form, while the descending form returns to the natural minor scale.
The ascending pattern follows: B♭ to C (whole), C to D♭ (half), D♭ to E♭ (whole), E♭ to F (whole), F to G (whole), G to A (whole), and A to B♭ (half). The descending form follows the natural minor scale: B♭ to A♭ (whole), A♭ to G♭ (whole), G♭ to F (half), F to E♭ (whole), E♭ to D♭ (whole), D♭ to C (half), and C to B♭ (whole).
In contemporary jazz applications, the B♭ melodic minor scale is frequently used in both directions as the "jazz minor" scale, particularly over B♭m(maj7) chords. It serves as an essential source for modal harmony and altered dominant sounds. The scale shares important relationships with both the B♭ harmonic minor and G♭ major scales. Its versatile nature makes it particularly valuable in various musical contexts, from classical compositions to modern jazz, where its distinctive sound adds sophistication to melodic lines and harmonic progressions.
B♭ 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
- B♭m melodic scale, Bb melodic minor scale, B♭ jazz minor scale, Bb minor melodic scale
- Enharmonic equivalents
Related scales
Here are some scales that are related to the B♭ melodic minor scale. Or browse all piano scales.
B♭ harmonic minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-3-1
B♭ major scale
2-2-1-2-2-2-1
B♭ natural minor scale
2-1-2-2-1-2-2