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

F# melodic minor is F# natural minor with a raised 6th and 7th: D and E become D# and E#. Both drawn on one guitar neck.

F# Natural Minor and F# Melodic Minor on one guitar fretboard, the shared notes and the differences marked13578910121415eBGDAEEE#F#G#ABC#DD#EE#F#BC#DD#EE#F#G#ABC#DG#ABC#DD#EE#F#G#ADD#EE#F#G#ABC#DD#EE#ABC#DD#EE#F#G#ABEE#F#G#ABC#DD#EE#F#

Tap any note on the neck.

Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.

F# melodic minor is F# natural minor with a raised 6th and 7th: D and E become D# and E#.

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

They share five notes and differ in two:

Shared by both: F# G# A B C#.

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

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

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

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