C Melodic Minor descending Scale on the Piano - How to play, How to improvise, How to compose music with this scale

Notes: C, Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, and D - Key: C - Category: Octatonic Scales

The C Melodic Minor descending uses eight notes per octave. Because of this same reason it is a member of the so called Octatonic -scales that have Eight-note (or Eight-tone). On the piano keyboard, it is made up of three black keys: Ab, Eb, and D and four white keys: C, Bb, G, and F. This combination makes this scale - as well as the C Prometheus, C Prometheus Liszt, and C Prometheus Neapolitan - as great choices for composing or improvising music.

If we take a look a the key signature of the C Melodic Minor descending Scale we can find it has three flats and no sharps. Therefore, on sheet music you will find three accidentals on the score. The notes of this scale are: C, Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, and D.

How to play the C Melodic Minor descending scale?

  1. 1
    To play the C Melodic Minor descending on your piano, start on the Root note. Play C, the first note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Continue with rest of the notes that shape the scale, play Bb, Ab, G, F, Eb, and D.
  3. 3
    Return to the home of the C Melodic Minor descending scale. Play again C -the tonic of the scale- to mark its ending.

How to play the scale in descending fashion?

  1. 1
    Begin on the last note. Play the C, the last (and first) note of the scale.
  2. 2
    Go down. Play D, Eb, F, G, Ab, and Bb.
  3. 3
    Reach the home again. Establish tonality by playing the tonic of the C Melodic Minor descending scale: C.
  4. 4
    Tip. If you want to learn how to improvise or compose your own music using the C Melodic Minor descending scale or any other scale, check out our step-by-step online piano lessons, piano courses, and interactive piano apps and enjoy thousands of interactive multimedia piano animations. Discover 'Logic Behind Music' and learn how to play your favorite songs, play by ear, improvise, and even create your own music!
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