Not sure if anyone is familiar with the technical side of music...

But why is the descending form of the Melodic Minor scale different from the Ascending version? Why is this not the same for major scales? I understand that the 6th and the 7th's go down a half step, but what's the purpose? It doesn't reverse itself, it seems nonsensical.

GOD HERE said:

But why is the descending form of the Melodic Minor scale different from the Ascending version? Why is this not the same for major scales? I understand that the 6th and the 7th's go down a half step, but what's the purpose? It doesn't reverse itself, it seems nonsensical.

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It's about intervals. It sounded foreign to our ears and was tough for the voices at the time so our forefathers altered for the classical standard. It isn't used much today mostly ascending/descending, same. But I'm pulling this from more than 40 years ago now so cross check me.