Playing Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales

[Veggie Dave]

A friend has just posted this on my FB page ... except I don't actually understand what it means:

I was told that if you're improvising the melody, use the melodic minor scales, and if you're the harmony, use the harmonic minor scales. Simple when explained!

In my defence, he's a rather talented classical musician, so I don't feel too stupid for not knowing what he means. 😉

 

[Jazzaferri]

I have a diploma in Jazz Performance and I don't understand what your friend posted.

The harmony is what it is unless he referred to playing a harmony line, in which case it would be dictated by the melody and the underlying harmonic structure. Perhaps you should ask him what he means. Melodic minor harmony in jazz offers a lot of freedom in improvisation. Long technical explanation not forthcoming...LOL

 

[Colin the Bear]

I think it's just a poor joke.

 

[Veggie Dave]

It could indeed be a joke that he's not realised. 😉

 

[jbtsax]

When you are improvising and get mixed up just use the mixolydian mode. If it sounds really bad use the "traumatic" scale.

 

[Theblusteryday]

good to bear in mind that in reference to the melodic minor scale, it is the ascending form only! i.e. a major scale with a flattened 3rd. then there are modes within that scale which are incredibly useful over certain chords. most commonly the 'altered' scale - the 7th mode of the melodic minor.