Scale guide
D melodic minor
In one sentence: In the jazz form, D melodic minor uses B and C# in both directions.
RH ↑ blue numbersLH ↑ red numbers
Only C# appears on a black key; the rest of the scale sits on white keys.
Notes
| US notation | Degrees |
|---|---|
| D E F G A B C# | 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–7 |
D
→
E
→
F
→
G
→
A
→
B · 6
→
C# · 7
Fingering
| Hand / direction | 1 octave | 2 octaves |
|---|---|---|
| RH ascending | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 |
| LH ascending | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 |
| RH descending | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 | 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1 |
| LH descending | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 | 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 |
Use
Keep B and C# on the descent so what you read, practise, and hear in this jazz form agree. The classical descent with Bb is presented only as historical context.
Musical context
Melodic minor is used as a phrase color in jazz; in D, hear how C# leads back to D.
Guided practice
- Play one octave with each hand, very slowly.
- Name the altered notes before every repetition.
- Join hands only when the crossings are silent.
- End each repetition on D and hear the resting point.
Common mistakes
- Losing an accidental when changing direction.
- Speeding up before the thumb crossing feels settled.
Checklist
- I keep the notes in the table in both directions.
- I follow the one- and two-octave fingerings.
- I can hear D as the scale’s center.