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Learning Resources/A Second Look at Melodic Minor

A Second Look at Melodic Minor

Learn some of the most common melodic minor progressions and practice how they should be applied when playing them in descending order. Additionally, we will study the Mixolydian ♭6 scale (the fifth mode of the Melodic Minor scale) and practice implementing the scale into your composition.

RD

Robert Davis

Instructor

2 modules · 2 video lessons

Beginner & Intermediate

What you will learn

This course was created in response to questions about using the Melodic Minor scale in both ascending and descending order. We also take a closer look at the Mixolydian ♭6 scale, the fifth mode of the Melodic Minor scale — helping you master the most fundamental and frequently encountered aspects of both scales.

  • Chord progressions and functions in Melodic minor
  • Writing melody over descending progressions
  • Resolution sequence in Melodic minor
  • Voice-leading in Melodic Minor Scale
  • Voice-leading in Mixolydian ♭6 Scale

Course Content

2 Modules2 Video Lessons

  • Course Trailer
  • Course Materials
  • General Course Information
  • Notes on Opening Music

General course information

  • All lessons are video-based and supplemental study material is available in PDF format.
  • Progression examples are provided as separate downloadable course materials (PDFs).

Instructor

Robert Davis

Robert Davis

Composer & Music Theory Educator

Robert Davis is a composer who specializes in diversity. He has no particular style that he sticks to. Having spent most of his study in his early years trying to understand the complex chromatic harmony of Wagner and Mahler, he wrote his first symphonic poem at age 19 in a harmonic style similar to Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.

This landed him a big job in the sample library industry when very few "big" computer libraries existed. Here he was a consultant as well as a Demo creator for Garritan Orchestral Libraries. Eventually, he worked for MakeMusic (the creators of Finale notation software) creating demos and consulting, before branching out on his own.

Currently, he has dedicated the last two years honing his harmonic language by consistently and religiously learning new styles. As it stands, Robert feels just at home creating a Piano Concerto that sounds like it could have been created by a Late Romantic composer, or writing a Ragtime piece. His pursuit is musical mastery of many styles.

Reviews

  • “I felt this course was easy to follow, and the materials learned could immediately be used in my improvisations and writing. Some of these ideas I have been already using by my own ear, but now I realize the theoretical basis behind what my ear was using. I am very much looking forward to using these ideas in my playing and composing now.”

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