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B bebop melodic minor scale on bass guitar
B bebop melodic minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the B bebop melodic minor scale on bass?
B bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B bebop 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 B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop 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 E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
B bebop melodic minor adds the major 6th G♯ to B harmonic minor. The scale contains a tritone and a leading tone. The step pattern is W, H, W, W, H, H, W, H.
When to use it
B bebop melodic minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. Use it for jazz lines over minor progressions in D major or B minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop melodic minor?
B bebop melodic minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, G♯, and A♯. The scale has eight notes. It adds the major 6th to B harmonic minor.
Which chords does B bebop melodic minor fit?
B bebop melodic minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. The scale works over minor progressions in D major or B minor. Use it for jazz lines.
What is the step pattern of B bebop melodic minor?
B bebop melodic minor follows W, H, W, W, H, H, W, H. The pattern includes a chromatic move between G and G♯. This creates the bebop passing tone.