” nickname for the melodic minor scale is “Dorian natural 7,” because the melodic minor scale is just like a Dorian minor scale except with a natural (or major) seventh instead of a flatted seventh (when compared with a parallel major scale starting on the same root).
The melodic minor scale played from the root is simple to use, you can use it over any tonic minor-major-seventh chords, and you can also use it on II minor chords.
Additionally, sensitive pianists and guitarists will quickly hear it if you play a strong melodic minor sounding idea over a II-7 chord, and they will likely change their voicing to accommodate your melodic choice (they can do so by switching to a minor-major-seventh chord voicing or by avoiding playing the seventh in their voicing altogether).
We’ll use the melodic minor sound to create melodies every time we have a minor chord, and we’ll use the 7th mode of melodic minor (the altered scale) every time there is a dominant chord that is resolving V7-I.
As an added layer of musical challenge, we’ll also practice spicing up our melodic improvisations by alternating between using 8th note vs. triplet rhythms as we create our melodies.
