1. Always practice musically!
2. Never play too fast!
3. Develop an accurate inner pulse!
4. Practice different rhythmic groups.
5. No flat fingers!
The melodic minor scale has a particularity. It has two forms: ascending and descending. Ascending one has the same notes as the natural minor scale, except that the 6th and 7th degrees are raised by one Semitone (1/2 step). This changes creates a Major 6th between 1st degree and the 6th degree and also a Major 7th between 1st degree and the 7th degree.The 7th degree becomes Leading Tone in both, Harmonic and Melodic version. The descending melodic minor is just another name for the natural minor scale.
The harmonic minor scale has the same notes as the natural minor scale, except that the seventh degree is raised by one Semitone (half). This change creates a Major 7th between first degree (Tonic) and the seventh degree (Subtonic in Natural pattern) which becomes Leading Tone in harmonic version. There will be also an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees.
The sequence of spaces between the notes of a minor scale is:
Whole(T) - Half(ST) - Whole(T) - Whole(T) - Half(ST) - A2(T+ST) - Half(ST)
In contrast to Major Scales, Minor scales come in three patterns: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic.
In all the minor scales the first, third, and fifth scale degrees form a minor triad.
The sequence of spaces between the notes of a natural minor scale is:
Whole(T) - Half(ST) - Whole(T) - Whole(T) - Half(ST) - Whole(T) - Whole(T)
A scale is made up of seven notes, the eighth duplicates the first at a higher octave.
The sequence of spaces between the notes of a major scale is:
Whole(T) - Whole(T) - Half(ST) - Whole(T) Whole(T) - Whole(T) - Half(ST)
