The Melodic Minor Molecule:
The symmetry of the Melodic Minor is expressed clearly in its 5th mode, also known as "Mixolydian b6".
In A Melodic Minor we have the scale; "A B C D E F# G# A"... This sequence can be expressed in intervals as "W H W W W W H" ...
If we play a scale in A Melodic Minor with the final note of E, the interval structure is "W W H W H W W" based on the notes "E F# G# A B C D E" ...
When played on the four bottom strings of the guitar, this mode takes the hexagonal shape shown below:
Because this shape is quite easy to remember, it can serve as a kind of scale molecule around which you can develop your melodic minor riffs.
Notice where this mode fits in the Melodic Minor Compass (see previous post in this blog):
This will give you a sense of the flavor of this scale and open the door to its modes.
Here is a map of all the positions of the 5th mode of Melodic Minor in the key of Cmaj/Amin: