3.29Melody exercise

Play A natural minor:

A B C D E F G A

Now improvise using only those notes over an A in the left hand.

Then occasionally approach A using:

G♯ → A

Notice how dramatically that one altered note changes the direction of the melody.

Try:

E F G♯ A

Then:

E F♯ G♯ A

The first suggests harmonic minor.

The second resembles melodic-minor ascent.

Don't worry about creating a masterpiece. You're training your ear to recognize the three sounds.