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A bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
A bebop melodic minor runs A, B, C, D, E, F, F♯, G♯. Its added major 6th smooths the ♭6–7 leap for even eighth-note lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the A bebop melodic minor scale on guitar?
A bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, F, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 7 | E, F, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 18 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
A bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to A harmonic minor, placing F♯ between F and G♯. The scale keeps the harmonic minor’s augmented 5th and major 7th, so it still contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with A harmonic minor to hear the added passing tone.
When to use it
A bebop melodic minor fits A minor and A 5th chords, especially in jazz lines where the major 6th adds forward motion. Use it over A minor or A 5th in bebop and swing styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the shape covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 for higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in A bebop melodic minor?
A bebop melodic minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F, F♯, and G♯. The added F♯ is the major 6th that creates the bebop passing tone. The scale has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does A bebop melodic minor fit?
A bebop melodic minor fits A minor and A 5th chords. The major 6th and major 7th add colour without clashing with the minor third. Use it over minor vamps in jazz and fusion.
How does A bebop melodic minor differ from A harmonic minor?
A bebop melodic minor adds F♯ between F and G♯. A harmonic minor has only seven notes and lacks the major 6th. The added note creates a chromatic run for smoother lines.