Explore scales · Bass
A melodic minor scale on bass guitar
A melodic minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 5 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A melodic minor scale on bass?
A melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees of A natural minor, so C and D become F♯ and G♯. Compare with A major, which has a major third instead of C. The pattern is W, H, W, W, W, W, H.
When to use it
A melodic minor fits A minor and A 5th chords, especially in jazz lines over minor progressions. Use it over the tonic in A minor keys when the harmony includes the major sixth or seventh. It also works over D major and E major chords as borrowed tones.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 5, keeping the hand in frets 0–3 for easy access to the raised sixth and seventh.
Common questions
What notes are in A melodic minor?
A melodic minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F♯, and G♯. The scale has a minor third but raised sixth and seventh degrees. This gives it a distinctive major-minor hybrid sound.
Which chords does A melodic minor fit?
A melodic minor fits A minor and A 5th chords. It also works over D major and E major chords. The raised sixth and seventh create smooth voice leading in minor-key progressions.
How does A melodic minor differ from A natural minor?
A melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees compared to A natural minor. A natural minor has F and G, while A melodic minor has F♯ and G♯. This removes the augmented second interval between F and G♯.
What is the relative major of A melodic minor?
The relative major of A melodic minor is C major. Both scales share the same key signature of no sharps or flats. However, A melodic minor uses F♯ and G♯ as accidentals.