Which scale is formed by ascending raising the 6th and 7th degrees, but descending matches the natural minor?

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

Answer: (C)

Melodic minor is defined by raising the sixth and seventh degrees of the natural minor when ascending, while descending it returns to the natural minor form. In A minor, for example, the natural minor is A B C D E F G A. Ascending, you raise the sixth and seventh to F# and G#: A B C D E F# G# A. Descending, you revert to the natural minor: A G F E D C B A. This ascent-descent pattern is what characterizes the melodic minor, matching the description given. The other scales don’t follow this exact rise-and-fall rule.