Let’s dive deeper into Intervals and figure out what the scales are. Scales are a selection of notes, out of the chromatic scale (12 notes). They are constructed using steps.

The Melodic Minor scale is unique in that it differs when ascending and descending. Ascending, it has a brighter, more hopeful sound, while descending, it reverts to the darker tones of the Natural Minor scale. This duality makes it a versatile tool for composers looking to add complexity and nuance to their music.

This scale is often used in jazz and classical music, where its distinctive sound can add a sophisticated and modern touch. Jazz musicians, in particular, appreciate the Melodic Minor scale for its ability to create interesting and unexpected melodic lines. It's also used in film scores to evoke a sense of tension and resolution.

Harmonically, the Melodic Minor scale allows for the creation of unique chord progressions that aren't possible with the Natural Major or Minor scales. These progressions can add a fresh and innovative feel to a piece, making it stand out. Whether you're exploring new musical territories or adding depth to a composition, the Melodic Minor scale is an invaluable resource.

The relative steps of the melodic minor scale are: w-h-w-w-w-w-h (w=whole step, h=half step).
Let’s explore how that exactly works:

What does diatonic mean?

The term "diatonic" refers to a scale that uses a mix of whole steps and half steps. When we say "diatonic," we mean notes that belong to the scale. For example, if you're playing in the key of F♯ major and using F♯ major notes, those notes are diatonic.

In the piano example above, you saw that only the notes from the scale are used. This means they only include notes "of the scale." Knowing about diatonic notes is important for understanding music theory and making melodies that sound good.

Using diatonic notes helps musicians keep their music in key, making it sound smooth and pleasant. Understanding diatonic notes will improve your musical skills and creativity.

Back to the banjo! You might wonder how this all translates back to your instrument and that might be a bit confusing at first, but please stay tuned. As you just seen, the chromatic intervals for melodic minor scale are {1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12}. To most people, this is not very useful information. The diatonic steps 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are more important to know. Try to learn see the difference between those and learn that by heart. From there it is way more interesting and practical to look at diatonic scale intervals.

Switch between chromatic/diatonic/notes below to see/learn the relations between them. For convenience, the root note (F♯) is highlighted.

As you might notice, the scales have 7 notes, except for the blues and pentatonic scales.