Three-Octave Minor Scale Practice Patterns
Each pattern is movable, so you can start on any fret you like provided you won't run out of frets at the higher end. Wherever you start will be the tonic (home note) of the scale. The changes of colour indicate a change of fretboard position, and the numbers shown are fretting-hand fingers. Keep to one finger per fret for practice purposes. Remember to play the descending form of the melodic minor scale from highest to lowest note.
About the Forms of the Minor Scale
Although there are three forms of the minor scale: natural, harmonic and melodic, the natural minor scale (the only form that actually agrees with its key signature) is usually not included as it's exactly the same as the descending form of the melodic minor scale. So you can use that scale in reverse if you want to practice the natural minor scale.
Also note that the so-called jazz melodic minor scale is the same as the ascending melodic minor scale but in both directions. It doesn't descend like the 'classical' melodic minor scale shown above. In other words, come back down the same way you went up if you practise the jazz melodic minor scale.
Also note that the so-called jazz melodic minor scale is the same as the ascending melodic minor scale but in both directions. It doesn't descend like the 'classical' melodic minor scale shown above. In other words, come back down the same way you went up if you practise the jazz melodic minor scale.