The melodic minor scale, like the major scale, has seven modes, each with its own unique sound and character. The melodic minor scale differs from the natural minor scale in that it raises the 6th and 7th degrees when ascending. Here, however, we'll focus on the modes derived from the ascending melodic minor scale, which are used in jazz and modern music.

1. Melodic Minor (Ionian ♭3)

• Pattern: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half

• Degree: 1st mode

• Example: C Melodic Minor (C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B, C)

• Sound: Like the natural minor scale but with a raised 6th and 7th, creating a more melodic and less somber sound.

2. Dorian ♭2 (Phrygian ♯6)

• Pattern: Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole

• Degree: 2nd mode

• Example: D Dorian ♭2 (D, E♭, F, G, A, B, C, D)

• Sound: Dark and exotic, like the Phrygian mode but with a raised 6th, giving it a more complex sound.

3. Lydian Augmented (Lydian ♯5)

• Pattern: Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Half

• Degree: 3rd mode

• Example: E Lydian Augmented (E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, E)

• Sound: Bright and mystical, like Lydian but with a raised 5th, creating an even more ethereal sound.

4. Lydian Dominant (Mixolydian ♯4)

• Pattern: Whole, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Half, Whole

• Degree: 4th mode

• Example: F Lydian Dominant (F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F)

• Sound: Bright and dominant, like Lydian but with a flat 7th, making it useful for dominant chords with a Lydian flavor.

5. Mixolydian ♭6 (Mixolydian ♭13)

• Pattern: Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole

• Degree: 5th mode

• Example: G Mixolydian ♭6 (G, A, B, C, D, E♭, F, G)

• Sound: Like the Mixolydian mode but with a lowered 6th, adding a minor flavor to the dominant sound.

6. Aeolian ♭5 (Locrian ♯2)

• Pattern: Whole, Half, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole

• Degree: 6th mode

• Example: A Aeolian ♭5 (A, B, C, D, E♭, F, G, A)

• Sound: Dark and diminished, like Locrian but with a natural 2nd, making it less dissonant but still unstable.

7. Altered Scale (Super Locrian, Diminished Whole-Tone)

• Pattern: Half, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole

• Degree: 7th mode

• Example: B Altered Scale (B, C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B)

• Sound: Highly dissonant and tense, this mode is used over altered dominant chords, featuring a flat 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th, and a sharp 4th (♯4).

Summary

• Melodic Minor (Ionian ♭3): Minor with a melodic lift.

• Dorian ♭2 (Phrygian ♯6): Dark, exotic with a raised 6th.

• Lydian Augmented (Lydian ♯5): Bright, mystical with an augmented 5th.

• Lydian Dominant (Mixolydian ♯4): Bright with a dominant twist.

• Mixolydian ♭6 (Mixolydian ♭13): Dominant with a minor 6th.

• Aeolian ♭5 (Locrian ♯2): Dark, diminished but less dissonant.

• Altered Scale (Super Locrian): Extremely tense and dissonant.

These modes are essential in jazz and modern music, offering a range of emotional and harmonic possibilities that go beyond the more common major scale modes.