Help with the Harmonic and Melodic Scales.

[Kip Winger]

If I'm thinking straight right now, the harmonic minor scale's characteristic note is the #7, right?

Well, wouldn't this be the same as a #5 in a regular major scale?

What would that make the major scale, a harmonic major scale or an augmented scale?:confused:

[mullz]

The scale: 1 2 3 4 #5 6 7 is actually the 3rd mode of harmonic minor, it's called 'Ionian augmented' or "Ionian #5'

The major scale is not augmented, in fact, an augmented triad does not occur naturally in the major scale & its modes.

I think I have heard of harmonic major, or melodic major, but I never looked into it... to me the major scale is already both harmonic and melodic - because harmonic and melodic minor are the minor scale 'borrowing' attributes from the major scale (that is one way of looking at it though.)

[Kip Winger]

That was very informative. Thanks!