Explore scales · Bass
G bebop melodic minor scale on bass guitar
G bebop melodic minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, E, and F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 and string 2, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the G bebop melodic minor scale on bass?
G bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 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 E string at fret 3 and the D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G 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 D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
G 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 11. The root falls on the A 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) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
G bebop melodic minor adds the major 6th E to G 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
G bebop melodic minor fits G minor and G 5th chords. Use it for jazz lines over minor progressions in B♭ major or G minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 3, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in G bebop melodic minor?
G bebop melodic minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, E, and F♯. The scale has eight notes. It adds the major 6th to G harmonic minor.
Which chords does G bebop melodic minor fit?
G bebop melodic minor fits G minor and G 5th chords. The scale works over minor progressions in B♭ major or G minor. Use it for jazz lines.
What is the step pattern of G bebop melodic minor?
G bebop melodic minor follows W, H, W, W, H, H, W, H. The pattern includes a chromatic move between E♭ and E. This creates the bebop passing tone.