The Melodic scale, or Melodic minor, has multiple uses when composing. First, it is used to modulate from a Major key to the minor key on the second degree. Second, it is used to modulate from a Major key to its parallel minor. This is often misunderstood as an ascending/descending Melodic scale but is in actual fact a change in scale from Melodic to the Aeolian mode of the Major scale. Third, the Melodic often leads into the Harmonic Major scale via its fourth mode, Lydian 7 which can then lead to a Major resolution. Fourth, it is often in a complimentary role with the Harmonic minor scale, alternating between the modes Lydian #2 and Aeolian b5. I cover this in more depth in Modal Method.
The role of the Melodic scale
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