"Theory note: Harmonic minor is formed by raising the VII a half-step, and the melodic minor is formed by raising the VI of the harmonic a half-step too. The descending scale, so far as I can deduce, is the standard natural minor"...

My comment is that every noun in your blog requires several paragraphs of explanatory footnotes! :-)

Some footnotes: You might find it easier to think of all minor scales using the major scale as a starting point.

The C Major Scale sounds right to western ears:

C D E F G A B C

The Harmonic Minor scale contains the all notes that you would want to build chords in the key of C minor. It flattens the 3rd and 6th note:

C D Eb F C Ab B C

The Harmonic minor contains a tricky gap between the 6th and 7th note, which is an awkward constraint when building a melody. When melodies are rising, it sounds best if only the third is flattened (the Melodic Minor scale). This contains the important B - C "Ta Da" sound which for westerners is very satisfying at the end of a phrase

C D Eb F C A B C

And when falling, you flatten the 3rd, 6th, 7th:

C D Eb F C Ab Bb C

The "rising and falling" rule is handy when playing scales and makes sense in theory, but in practice composers tend to pick from all the notes rising and falling scales based on harmonic considerations.

please put more music like : du du , slave dance
not very pleased with it poor show

I need help, what scales do you do grade 1. it doesnt let me load the sheet :(

Harmonic minors, when played in descending order, should still keep the 7th raised. This is different from melodic minors where descending 6th and 7th are flattened.