Explore scales · Bass
E melodic minor scale on bass guitar
E melodic minor contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, D♯. Box 1 starts on string 2, fret 2 and spans frets 0–3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the E melodic minor scale on bass?
E 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 E string at fret 0 and the D 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) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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 D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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 E string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E melodic minor in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 12 and the D string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
E melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees of E natural minor, so C and D become C♯ and D♯. Compare with E major, which has a major third instead of G. The pattern is W, H, W, W, W, W, H.
When to use it
E melodic minor fits E minor and E 5th chords, especially in jazz and fusion. Use it over the tonic in E minor keys when the harmony includes the major sixth or seventh. It also works over A major and B major chords as borrowed tones.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 2, fret 2, keeping the hand in frets 0–3 for easy access to the raised sixth and seventh.
Common questions
What notes are in E melodic minor?
E melodic minor contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C♯, and D♯. The scale has a minor third but raised sixth and seventh degrees. This gives it a distinctive major-minor hybrid sound.
Which chords does E melodic minor fit?
E melodic minor fits E minor and E 5th chords. It also works over A major and B major chords. The raised sixth and seventh create smooth voice leading in minor-key progressions.
How does E melodic minor differ from E natural minor?
E melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees compared to E natural minor. E natural minor has C and D, while E melodic minor has C♯ and D♯. This removes the augmented second interval between C and D♯.
What is the relative major of E melodic minor?
The relative major of E melodic minor is G major. Both scales share the same key signature of one sharp. However, E melodic minor uses C♯ and D♯ as accidentals.