Melodic Minor is the natural minor with 6th and 7th raised ascending, while descending matches the natural minor. Which scale is described?

• A. Natural Minor
• B. Melodic Minor
• C. Harmonic Minor
• D. Pentatonic Minor

Answer: (B)

The melodic minor scale is defined by raising the 6th and 7th degrees when ascending, while returning to the natural minor form when descending. This creates a brighter, smoother ascent but a darker, more traditional descent. The description fits this exactly: the upward form has the 6th and 7th raised, and the downward form matches the natural minor. In contrast, the natural minor keeps those degrees flat in both directions, the harmonic minor raises only the 7th, and the pentatonic minor omits several notes, so none of those describe the ascent-descend pattern. So the described scale is the melodic minor.