The natural minor scale has the same tones as the major scale, but uses the sixth tone of the major scale as its tonic. Thus, the semitones (half steps) are between the second and third tones and the fifth and sixth tones, e.g.:

C, D, E-flat, F, G, A-flat, B-flat, C (ascending)

C, B-flat, A-flat, G, F, E-flat, D, C (descending)

SCALE STEPS (IN SEMITONES OR HALF STEPS)
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
c		d	eb		f		g	ab		bb		c'
Play Natural Minor Scale

The melodic minor scale is the same as the natural minor with the exception that the sixth and seventh tones are raised by a semitone (half step) when the scale is ascending. When the scale is descending, the melodic minor is the same as the natural minor, e.g.:

C, D, E-flat, F, G, A, B, C (ascending)

C, B-flat, A-flat, G, F, E-flat, D, C (descending)

SCALE STEPS (IN SEMITONES OR HALF STEPS)
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
c		d	eb		f		g		a		b	c'
Play Melodic Minor Scale Ascending
c'		bb		ab	g		f		eb	d		c
Play Melodic Minor Scale Descending

The harmonic minor is the same as the natural minor, except that the seventh tone is raised by a semitone (half step) both ascending and descending, e.g.:

C, D, E-flat, F, G, A-flat, B, C (ascending)

C, B, A-flat, G, F, E-flat, D, C (descending)

SCALE STEPS (IN SEMITONES OR HALF STEPS)
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
c		d	eb		f		g	ab			b	c'
Play Harmonic Minor Scale

Also see Natural Minor Scale, Harmonic Minor Scale, Melodic Minor Scale.

SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLE:

Vivaldi: Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op. 11, No. 3, III

W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 1, Track 21