The melodic minor scale raises which degrees when ascending?

• A. Raised 2nd and 7th
• B. Raised 6th and 7th
• C. Raised 5th and 7th
• D. Raised 6th and 5th

Answer: (B)

When ascending, the melodic minor scale raises the sixth and seventh degrees. In A minor, for example, the natural minor is A B C D E F G A. Ascending as melodic minor, it becomes A B C D E F# G# A. Raising the sixth and seventh creates a brighter ascent and gives the seventh degree a leading-tone function that helps resolve to the tonic. The other degrees stay the same as in the natural minor, which is why only those two degrees are altered when moving upward.