Which scale is characterized as a minor scale with a raised 6th degree?

The scale characterized as a minor scale with a raised 6th degree is the Dorian scale. This scale is often described as a mode of the major scale, specifically the second mode. When constructed, it features the following pattern of whole steps and half steps: whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole.

In the context of the Dorian scale, the inclusion of the raised 6th degree differentiates it from the natural minor scale (Aeolian), which does not have this alteration. The raised 6th contributes to the scale's distinct sound, lending a more uplifting quality compared to the standard minor scale. This characteristic makes the Dorian mode particularly popular in various music genres, including jazz and funk, as it allows for a rich harmonic palette while maintaining the essence of a minor tonality.

Other options present different characteristics: the Phrygian scale has a flat 2nd and is thus darker in sound, while the Aeolian scale, which is the natural minor scale, lacks the raised 6th. The Locrian scale, characterized by a flat 5th, has a diminished quality and is not typically associated with a major or uplifting sound. Thus, the Dorian scale stands out