Guitar Theory Studio
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C# Natural Minor vs C# Melodic Minor

C# melodic minor is C# natural minor with a raised 6th and 7th: A and B become A# and B#. Both drawn on one guitar neck.

C# Natural Minor and C# Melodic Minor on one guitar fretboard, the shared notes and the differences marked13578910121415eBGDAEEF#G#AA#BB#C#D#EF#BB#C#D#EF#G#AA#BB#C#G#AA#BB#C#D#EF#G#AA#D#EF#G#AA#BB#C#D#EAA#BB#C#D#EF#G#AA#BB#EF#G#AA#BB#C#D#EF#

Tap any note on the neck.

Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.

C# melodic minor is C# natural minor with a raised 6th and 7th: A and B become A# and B#.

C# natural minor vs C# melodic minor: what is different

They share five notes and differ in two:

Shared by both: C# D# E F# G#.

When to use which

Play both over the same chord and listen to the notes that differ. Whichever sounds right for the song is the answer; the names matter less than the ear. As a rule, the scale with the raised note sounds brighter or more tense, and the one with the lowered note sounds darker or more settled.

Hear the difference

C# Natural Minor
C#   D#   E   F#   G#   A   B
C# Melodic Minor
C#   D#   E   F#   G#   A#   B#
Shared notes
C#   D#   E   F#   G#
Only in Natural Minor
A (b6)   B (b7)
Only in Melodic Minor
A# (6)   B# (7)
Compare these two on the interactive neck →

Free, no account needed. Change the key and both scales follow.

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