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5.3.6 The 12 Ascending Melodic Minor Scales
To solve the problem about the lack of a leading tone in the minor keys, somebody decided a long time ago to keep the natural minor scale (the Aeolian mode) exactly as it is for purposes of descending (Table 25 above), but sharpen scale degrees 6 and 7 for purposes of ascending. Therefore, the melodic minor scale has a different formula or pattern when ascending, compared with descending. Together, the two scales became known as the melodic minor scale.
Here are the 12 ascending melodic minor scales (Table 26).
TABLE 26 Ascending Melodic Minor Scales (Left to Right), All 12 Keys
