In melodic minor, the ascending form lowers the third while the descending form uses the natural minor.

In melodic minor, the ascending form lowers the third while the descending form uses the natural minor.

• A. Lowered 3 ascending; natural minor descending
• B. Raised 3 ascending; melodic minor descending
• C. Lowered 3 ascending; harmonic minor descending
• D. Lowered 3 ascending; major descending

Answer: (A)

Melodic minor uses two forms depending on direction. When ascending, you raise the sixth and seventh degrees to create a smoother, brighter line. When descending, you revert to the natural minor, bringing those sixth and seventh notes back down. The third stays a minor third relative to the major scale in both directions, so the key feature isn’t about a change to the third. The important point to remember is the ascent vs. descent difference: raise 6th and 7th when going up, use natural minor when coming down.

Melodic minor uses two forms depending on direction. When ascending, you raise the sixth and seventh degrees to create a smoother, brighter line. When descending, you revert to the natural minor, bringing those sixth and seventh notes back down. The third stays a minor third relative to the major scale in both directions, so the key feature isn’t about a change to the third. The important point to remember is the ascent vs. descent difference: raise 6th and 7th when going up, use natural minor when coming down.