C Melodic Minor Scale
Notes in the C Melodic Minor Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | B | 493.883 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D | D# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D# | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C minor | minor |
| 2 | D | D minor | minor |
| ♭3 | D# | D# augmented | augmented |
| 4 | F | F | major |
| 5 | G | G | major |
| 6 | A | A diminished | diminished |
| 7 | B | B diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Melodic Minor Scale uses the same key signature as C major.
C Melodic Minor Scale in Practice
The C Melodic Minor Scale uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The melodic minor scale raises both the 6th and 7th degrees ascending to smooth out the augmented second of harmonic minor. In jazz it is used in both directions.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Melodic Minor Scale Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Melodic Minor Scale
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Melodic Minor Scale in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.