C Melodic Minor Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
C Melodic Minor in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The C Melodic Minor scale, often called the Jazz Minor, offers a more sophisticated and fluid sound than the natural minor. On Cavaquinho, it contains the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B. It is a vital tool for modern jazz improvisation, allowing players to navigate complex dominant chords and create elegant, tension-filled melodic lines that avoid the exotic jump of the harmonic minor. The diatonic chords of C Melodic Minor are Cm6, Dm7, Eb+maj7, F7, G7, Am7b5, Bm7b5. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary Classical, Progressive. Notable players include Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Allan Holdsworth. Use over m(Maj7), m6 chords. Its modes cover nearly every altered dominant situation in jazz. The 'jazz minor' is the single most important advanced scale system.
Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Formula: W-H-W-W-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Diatonic Chords
Cm6 — Dm7 — E♭+maj7 — F7 — G7 — Am7♭5 — Bm7♭5