Minor scales can be played in two forms - harmonic and melodic.

On the previous pages, you will have played the harmonic form, which is characterised by the one and a half semitone leap between the sixth and seventh degrees of the scale (this gives it its ‘Egyptian’ sound).

Harmonic minors are the same ascending (going up) as they are descending (coming down).

Melodic minors are made smoother (more ‘melodic’) by sharpening both the sixth and seventh degrees of the scale on the way up, and then flattening them both on the way down.

Once you have passed grade 5 you need to be able to play both forms.