Major (Ionian) vs Melodic Minor
The C major (ionian) and the C melodic minor share 6 notes — C, D, F, G, A, B. From there, the C major (ionian) adds E, while the C melodic minor adds Eb.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Melodic Minor), D3 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Melodic Minor), Eb3 (flat 3), E3 (3), F3 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Melodic Minor), G3 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Melodic Minor), A3 (6 of C Major (Ionian) and 6 of C Melodic Minor), B3 (7 of C Major (Ionian) and 7 of C Melodic Minor), C4 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Melodic Minor), D4 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Melodic Minor), Eb4 (flat 3), E4 (3), F4 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Melodic Minor), G4 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Melodic Minor), A4 (6 of C Major (Ionian) and 6 of C Melodic Minor), B4 (7 of C Major (Ionian) and 7 of C Melodic Minor), C5 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Melodic Minor).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Major (Ionian) | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
| Melodic Minor | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Major (Ionian) | In Melodic Minor |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| A | 6 | 6 |
| B | 7 | 7 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the major (ionian): E (3)
- Only in the melodic minor: Eb (b3)