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D Ascending Melodic Minor Scale: The Dorian Mode Is One Semitone Away
Notice something familiar about the upper half of the ascending melodic minor scale, from 5 to 1 (8)? It’s identical to the upper half of the good ol’ do-re-mi major scale.
And that means, if you want to play an ascending melodic minor scale in any key, all you need to do is make like you’re playing the major scale for that key, but lower scale degree 3 by a semitone.
See, for example, the ascending C melodic minor scale in Table 26. It’s identical to the C major scale, except that scale degree 3 is flat (E♭) instead of natural (E).
While you’re at it, have a look at the D minor scale in Table 26. Again, it’s identical to the Dorian mode except for one scale degree. This time, to get the Dorian mode, just lower scale degree 7 of the ascending melodic minor scale by one semitone.
Aaah, but it ain’t over yet. No no no no no