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A♭ Melodic Minor

Ascending melodic minor: natural minor with both the 6th and 7th raised. Smooths out the augmented second of harmonic minor while preserving the strong leading tone.

6F7G♭3C♭6F7G♭3C♭4D♭5E♭1A♭2B♭4D♭5E♭1A♭2B♭

Notes

1A♭
2B♭
♭3C♭
4D♭
5E♭
6F
7G

Common progressions

i–IV–V
A♭m–D♭–E♭

The basic minor cadence. In harmonic minor the V becomes a major chord, creating a strong pull back to the tonic.

i–vi°–vii°
A♭m–F°–G°

Step-wise ascending progression heard throughout rock and metal.

i–vii°–vi°–V
A♭m–G°–F°–E♭

The Andalusian cadence — a descending tetrachord foundational in flamenco and Western classical music.

ii7–V7–i(maj7)
B♭m7–E♭7–A♭m(maj7)

The minor ii–V–i. The ii is half-diminished; in harmonic minor the V becomes a dominant 7, the classic minor-key turnaround.