Download Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic minor scale

Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Example: the F major and melodic minor scales
The melodic minor scale
The F major scale: F G A B♭ C D E F
The C melodic minor scale
The F melodic minor scale: F G A♭ B♭ C D E F
For ease of comparison, let us use C Melodic minor as the
example.
Finding chords for Melodic minor,
based on the Major scale chords
C melodic minor notes: C D E♭ F G A B C
Three note chords for the C major scale
There is just one note difference from the C major scale: C D E
FGABC
Below table shows the triad chords of the C Major scale, made by
choosing three alternate notes starting from each note position.
The chord notes are listed below the chord names.
The third note of the major scale is flattened to get the melodic
minor scale. The major scale has a major 3rd note (E), while the
melodic minor scale has a minor 3rd note (E♭).
Major scale notes
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
Major scale chords
C
Dm
Em
F
G
Am
Bdim
Major scale chord
notes
CEG
DFA
EGB
FAC
GBD
ACE
BDF
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Three note chords for the C Melodic minor scale
Since the melodic minor scale has the same notes as the major
scale with just the third note flattened, let us try to find out
chords for the melodic minor scale by flattening the third note,
whenever it is used in the chords.
melodic minor scale has the same notes as the C major scale,
except the E (3rd note in the scale) which is flattened to Eb.
The last row in the above table has the chord notes of each triad
chord of the C Major scale. Whenever the note E appears in the
chord notes, we flatten it to Eb, so that all the notes should be
within the C melodic minor scale and the resulting chord should
be diatonic (chords that use only the scale notes).
The chords and chord notes in the above table are for the C
major scale. The third note of the C major scale is E. The C
Mel min scale notes
C
D
Eb
F
G
A
B
Major scale chord notes
with E changed to Eb
C Eb G
DFA
Eb G B
FAC
GBD
A C Eb
BDF
New chord names
C minor
D minor
Eb aug
F major
G major
A dim
B dim
The new chords we have on the last row of the above table are diatonic triad chords (three note chords with all the chord notes within the
parent scale, in this case, the melodic minor scale).
A dim (chord notes: A C Eb) and F7 (F A C Eb) have three notes in common. The fourth note in the seventh chord is a scale note, hence
the 7th chord can be used instead of the dim if needed.
Similarly Bdim (chord notes: B D F) and G7 (G B D F) have three common notes. Again, since the fourth note in the seventh chord is a
scale note, the 7th chord can be used instead of the dim if needed.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
The minor major 7th chord and the Melodic minor scale
The melodic minor scale has a minor 3rd note and a major 7th note, which along with the root and 5th note gives us the Minor major 7th
chord, which is considered as the chord for the first mode of the Melodic minor scale. (Detailed chords from each mode is discussed later)
C mM7 chord notes: C Eb G B
Melodic minor scale to Raga Gaurimanohari
The notes of the C melodic minor scale are: C D Eb F G A B C.
When written as intervals: Root – Major 2nd – minor 3rd – perfect 4th – fifth – major 6th – minor 7th
- octave
These notes correspond to the Sa Ri2 Ga2 Ma1 Pa Dha2 Ni3 Sa of the Raga Gaurimanohari. (The
details of the relation between intervals and swaras is found in the pdf about notations.)
Watch this video of the Arohana Avarohana of Raga Gowrimanohari as shown on the guitar
fretboard, to see how the notes are connected when played as the raga.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Modes of the Melodic minor scale
As we saw in the first part, the minor major 7th chord is
associated with the Melodic minor scale. The minor major 7th
chord is derived from the first mode of the Melodic minor scale –
the scale, starting from the first note.
Start from the D note to get the notes: D Eb F G A B C. This is
the second mode of the melodic minor scale. If we take the D
note as the root and find interval relations between the notes, this
set of notes form a scale with a defined pattern of intervals.
Play the notes of the melodic minor scale, in the same order,
starting from each note till the same note one octave higher, to
get the different modes of the melodic minor scale.
Similarly, start from Eb to get: Eb F G A B C D Eb – the third
mode (starting from the 3rd note of the melodic minor scale,
hence called the 3rd mode)
For example, C melodic minor scale: C D Eb F G A B C.
This can be done from each of the notes to get the 7 different
modes of the melodic minor scale.
Detailed chords from each mode of the melodic minor
Each mode of the melodic minor scale has associated chords.
Which Mode?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
Melodic Minor scale notes
C
D
E♭
F
G
A
B
Swaras
Sa
Ri2
Ga2
Ma1
Pa
Dha2
Ni3
D sus♭9
E♭ Δ#5
F7 #11
G7♭13
Chord from each mode
C-Δ
AØ
B7alt
Mark Levine, in his book The jazz theory book, mentions that Melodic minor scale does not have ‘avoid notes’, which makes it possible to
use the chords from any mode of a particular melodic minor scale with any of its modes.
Therefore, each chord in the bottom most row of the table can be used along with the C melodic minor scale and its modes. Similarly we
can find chords for melodic minor scale starting from any root. Those chords can be used for any mode of that particular melodic minor
scale.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Example: D melodic minor scale
D melodic minor scale notes: D E F G A B C# D (D major scale notes: D E F# G A B C# D)
Which Mode?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
Melodic Minor scale notes
D
E
F
G
A
B
C#
E sus♭9
F Δ#5
G7 #11
A7♭13
Chord from each mode
D-Δ
BØ
C#7alt
Each chord in the bottom most row can be used for the D mel minor scale and its modes.
Scales and ragas from each mode of the Melodic minor scale
Mode I
C Melodic Minor notes: C D Eb F G A B C
Intervals: Root – M2 – m3 – 4 – 5 – M6 – M7 - octave
Chord: CmM7 (root – m3 – 5th – M7)
Swaras: S R2 G2 M1 P D2 N3 S
Raga: Gowrimanohari
The only difference from the major scale (Raga Shankarabharanam) is the third note. Major scale has a major 3rd note, while the melodic
minor scale has a minor 3rd note.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Videos shows the ascend and descend of the raga Gowrimanohari using a guitar fretboard. Note how the scale notes are connected to
form the raga. Also, one can compare the connections Raga Shankarabharanam’s ascend and descend. Ri, Ga and Ma are treated a bit
differently in the two ragas.
Mode II
The 2nd mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from D: D Eb F G A B C D
Intervals: root – m2 – m3 – 4 – 5 – M6 – m7 - octave
Chord: sus b9 (m2nd interval contributes to the b9 part of the chord)
Swaras: S R1 G2 M1 P D2 N2 S
Raga: Natakapriya
The interval sequence shows that the only difference with the Dorian mode (2nd mode of the major scale/ Raga Kharaharapriya) is the 2nd
note. The dorian mode or scale has a major 2nd note, while the second mode of the melodic minor scale has a minor 2nd note.
The 2nd mode of the melodic minor scale is similar to the Phrygian mode (3rd mode of the Major scale/ Raga Hanumatodi). Phrygian has a
minor 6th note, while this mode has a Major 6th note.
One can think of this mode as a Dorian with a b9th note (flat ninth note) or a Phrygian with a Major 6th note.
III mode
The third mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from Eb: Eb F G A B C D Eb
Intervals: root – M2 – M3 - #4 – m6 – M6 – M7 – octave
Chord: Δ#4#5 (Major 7th #4, #5) also written simply as Δ#5. The #4 part notes the Lydian part of the scale while the #5 shows the
augmented nature of the scale.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Swaras: S R2 G3 M2 D1 D2 N3 S
This scale is similar to the Lydian mode (Raga Kalyani). The Lydian mode has a 5th note, while this mode has a #5th note – the minor 6th
interval. This mode, the 3rd mode of the Melodic minor scale can be called the Lydian augmented scale because it has the notes of the
Lydian scale, with the 5th note sharpened or augmented. (Remember the augmented chord: the 5th note sharpened from the major chord.)
Since a Pa note is absent and two Dha notes are present, this scale is not a Melakarta raga. But, if we avoid some of the notes, we can find
similarities with some janya ragas.
For example if we do not use the D1, the resulting scale has the same notes as the Raga Kalyani, without a Pa. Look for janya ragas of raga
Kalyani, which do not use Pa. Use this Wikipedia list of Janya ragas (scroll down to number 65, Mechakalyani).
e.g.Raga Kalyānadāyini: Arohana: S R2 G3 M2 D2 N3 S Avarohana: S N3 D2 M2 G3 R2 S
Raga Kalyanadayini, along with D1 note has all the notes of the 3rd mode of the Melodic minor scale.
Similarly, if we use the D1, and not the D2, the resulting scale has same notes as Raga Latangi (number 63 in the list of ragas) without a Pa.
Look for janya ragas of Latangi, which do not have a Pa.
e.g.Raga Lalithāngi: Arohana: S R2 G3 M2 D1 N3 S | Avarohana: S N3 D1 M2 G3 R2 S
Raga Lalithangi, along with D2 note has all the notes of the 3rd mode of the melodic minor scale.
Also, Kalyani and Latangi phrases without using the note Pa, will fit for the 3rd mode of the melodic minor scale.
IV mode
The 4th mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from F: F G A B C D Eb F
Intervals: root – M2 – M3 – #4 – 5 – M6 – m7 - octave
Chord: 7#11 (root – M3rd – 5th – m7th - #4)
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
The ‘7’ shows the dominant nature of the chord and scale, the presence of the m7th note along with the major 3rd note. The #11
note indicates that it has a M2 note, the Lydian part of the scale and chord.
Swaras: S R2 G3 M2 P D2 N2 S
Raga: Vachaspathi
This scale has the same notes as the Lydian (4th mode of the major scale / Raga Kalyani) except for the 7th note. Lydian has a major 7th note
(Ni3) while the 4th mode of the melodic minor scale has a minor 7th note (Ni2).
Video showing the ascend and descend of the raga Vachaspathi using the guitar fretboard.
V mode
The 5th mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from G: G A B C D Eb F G
Intervals: root – M2 – M3 – 4 – 5 – m6 – m7 – octave
Chord: 7♭13 – dominant seventh flat thirteenth chord is a possible chord. The dominant part because of the presence of minor7th note
along with the major 3rd note. The ♭13 is because of the minor 6th note, the ♭6 note.
When used in a jazz context, Mark Levine suggests that the 5th mode of the melodic minor may go better with slash chords from
the other modes of the melodic minor scale, and not the 7♭13 chord. More about it in the detailed chords section.
Swaras: S R2 G3 M1 P D1 N2 S
Raga: Charukeshi
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
This scale starts out like a Major scale, till the 5th note. Instead of the major 6th and 7th notes of the major scale, this 5th mode of the melodic
minor scale has minor 6th and 7th notes.
Video showing the ascend and descend of the raga Charukeshi using the guitar fretboard.
VI mode
The 6th mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from A: A B C D Eb F G A
Intervals: root – M2 – m3 – 4 – ♭5 – m6 – m7 – octave
Chord: root, m3, m7 and ♭5 – gives the m7♭5 (half diminished 7th) chord also known as the minor 7th flat five chord.
Swaras: S R2 G2 M1 M2 D1 N2 S
Raga: No 5th or Pa note - so these notes don’t form any complete Melakarta raga. The scale has two kinds of ‘Ma’ notes. Choosing either
of the Ma notes and adding a Pa will give us two melakarta ragas.
The scale, with M2 (without using M1) and a Pa added gives: S R2 G2 M2 P D1 N2 S.
This gives us the Raga Shanmukhapriya. Phrases of Shankmukhapriya, without the Pa note can be tried for the 6th mode of the
Melodic minor scale.
The scale, with M1 (without using M2) and a Pa added gives: S R2 G2 M1 P D1 N2 S.
These are the notes of Raga Natabhairavi or the natural minor scale. There are numerous phrases possible from Natabhairavi and
its Janyas.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
VII mode
The 7th mode of the C melodic minor scale starts from B: B C D Eb F G A B
Intervals: root – m2 – m3 – M3 – #4 – m6 – m7 – octave
Chord: 7alt chord.
Swaras: S R1 G2 G3 M2 D1 N2 S
Raga: No 5th or Pa note - so the notes of the scale do not form any complete Melakarta raga. The scale has two kinds of ‘Ga’ notes.
Choosing either of the Ga notes and adding a Pa will give us two melakarta ragas.
The scale, with G2 (without using G3) and a Pa added gives: S R1 G2 M2 P D1 N2 S.
This gives us the Raga Bhavapriya. Phrases of Bhavapriya, without the Pa note can be tried for the 7th mode of the Melodic minor
scale.
The scale, withG3 (without using G2) and a Pa added gives: S R1 G3 M2 P D1 N2 S.
These are the notes of Raga Nāmanārāyani. Phrases of Nāmanārāyani, without the Pa note can be tried for the 7th mode of the
Melodic minor scale.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Finding chords for any mode using the relation of modes
Example: F Vachaspathi
F Vachaspathi indicates the notes of Raga Vachaspathi, starting from the root note F.
Vachaspathi corresponds to the 4th mode of a melodic minor scale. Which melodic minor scale?
F Vachaspathi is the 4th mode of the C melodic minor scale.
Therefore, we can use all the chords that belong to the C melodic minor scale and its modes for F Vachaspathi.
Chords of the C melodic minor scale (F Vachaspathi )
Three note chords
Detailed chords
C minor
D minor
Eb aug
F major
G major
C-Δ
D sus♭9
E♭ Δ#5
F7 #11
G7♭13
A dim
AØ
B dim
B7alt
Example: C Vachaspathi
Vachaspathi is the 4th mode a melodic minor scale.
Which melodic minor has C as the 4th note?
Try F as the root note. F melodic minor scale notes: F G A B♭ C D E F. B♭ is the 4th note of F melodic minor scale.
Try G as the root note. G melodic minor scale notes: G A B C D E F# G. C is the 4th note of the G melodic minor scale.
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
Therefore, C Vachaspathi is the 4th mode of the G melodic minor scale.
We can use all the chords of the G melodic minor and its modes on C Vachaspathi.
Chords of the G melodic minor scale (C Vachaspathi)
Three note chords
Detailed chords
G minor
A minor
B aug
C major
D major
G-Δ
A sus♭9
B Δ#5
C7 #11
D7♭13
E dim
EØ
F# dim
F#7alt
C Natakapriya
Natakapriya is the 2nd mode a melodic minor scale. Which melodic minor has C as the second note?
We know that in a melodic minor, the 2nd note is a major 2nd note from the root. Not the immediate next note, but one after the next note
from the root is the 2nd note in a melodic minor scale.
Bb melodic minor will have C as the second note.
Chords of the Bb melodic minor scale (C Natakapriya)
Three note chords
Detailed chords
Bb minor
C minor
Db aug
Eb maj
F major
Bb-Δ
C sus♭9
Db Δ#5
Eb7 #11
F7♭13
We can use all the chords of the Bb melodic minor scale on C Natakapriya.
G dim
GØ
A dim
A7alt
Raga Chords
Chords and Ragas based on the Melodic Minor scale
C Charukeshi
Charukeshi is the 5th mode of the Melodic minor scale. To find the root of the melodic minor scale it belongs to, we just need to find out
which scale has C as the 5th note.
Scales starting from F as the root, will have C as the 5th note. We can use all the chords of the F melodic minor scale on C Charukeshi.
Three note chords
Detailed chords
F minor
G minor
Ab aug
Bb maj
C major
F-Δ
G sus♭9
Ab Δ#5
Bb7 #11
C7♭13
D dim
D
Ø
E dim
E7alt
According to Mark Levine (Jazz theory book), in a jazz context, it is better to use the chords of the modes other than the 5th mode, with a
slash. For example instead of using C7♭13, use chords like F-Δ/C, AbΔ#5/C etc.