What are the diatonic chords of C Melodic Minor?

The diatonic chords of C Melodic Minor are built by harmonizing each degree of the scale in thirds. The scale degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 and the intervals are W-H-W-W-W-W-H. The triads are: Cm, Dm, Ebaug, FM, GM, Adim, Bdim.

What is scale harmonization?

Scale harmonization is the process of building chords from each degree of a scale by stacking thirds. Each note of the scale becomes the root of a chord, producing a set of diatonic chords (triads and seventh chords) that naturally belong to that key.

What is Practice Mode in the Scale Harmonizer?

Practice Mode is an interactive study tool that cycles through all diatonic chords with a synchronized fretboard visualization (switch between scale and arpeggio view), adjustable tempo (40–240 BPM), and audio playback. It includes ii-V-I progressions and secondary dominant exercises — the fretboard automatically shows the contextually correct scale for each chord (e.g., Dorian for the ii, Mixolydian for the V7).

C melodic minor chords

All ukulele chords for the C melodic minor scale

Show scale diagram ↓

Chord Voicings

Harmony

Originalii–V–ISec. Dom.

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Fretboard

ScaleArpeggio

C melodic minor scale diatonic chords

IC minor

IID minor

IIIE♭ aug

IVF major

VG major

VIA dim

VIIB dim

C melodic minor scale seventh chords

IC mmaj7

IID m7

IIIE♭ maj7♯5

IVF 7

VG 7

VIA m7♭5

VIIB m7♭5

scale

Ukulele fretboard diagram

C melodic minor scale — ukulele chords and intervals

The harmonized C melodic minor scale generates a sophisticated chord family widely used in jazz composition and arranging. Its unique combination of altered chords makes it the go-to source for modern harmonic color. The chords built from C melodic minor are Cm6, Dm7, Eb+maj7, F7, G7, Am7b5, Bm7b5. The i-II progression creates a distinctive jazz-minor sound, and the IV7 chord is the basis for the Lydian Dominant sound used in fusion. Many jazz standards exploit these chords for smooth, unexpected voice leading. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary Classical, Progressive. Notable players include Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Allan Holdsworth.

The C melodic minor scale has the following degrees: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7.

Intervals: W-H-W-W-W-W-H.

Diatonic chords: Cm6, Dm7, Eb+maj7, F7, G7, Am7b5, Bm7b5.

Degrees	Chord
I	Cm6
ii	Dm7
iii	Eb+maj7
IV	F7
V	G7
vi	Am7b5
vii°	Bm7b5

Degree-by-Degree Analysis

The I chord (Cm6) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (Dm7) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (Eb+maj7) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (F7) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (G7) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (Am7b5) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (Bm7b5) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.

This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the C melodic minor scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.

Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the C melodic minor scale on ukulele.

Related Scales

How to Use This Scale

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.