Explore scales · Bass
C bebop melodic minor scale on bass guitar
C bebop melodic minor contains C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, A, and B. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the C bebop melodic minor scale on bass?
C bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, A♭, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C bebop melodic minor adds the major 6th A to C 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
C bebop melodic minor fits C minor and C 5th chords. Use it for jazz lines over minor progressions in E♭ major or C minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 3, covering frets 1–4 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in C bebop melodic minor?
C bebop melodic minor contains C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, A, and B. The scale has eight notes. It adds the major 6th to C harmonic minor.
Which chords does C bebop melodic minor fit?
C bebop melodic minor fits C minor and C 5th chords. The scale works over minor progressions in E♭ major or C minor. Use it for jazz lines.
What is the step pattern of C bebop melodic minor?
C bebop melodic minor follows W, H, W, W, H, H, W, H. The pattern includes a chromatic move between A♭ and A. This creates the bebop passing tone.