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A♭ bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
A♭ bebop melodic minor runs A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, G. The added major 6th creates a chromatic run from F♭ to G for fluid bebop phrasing.
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, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♭ on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | F♭, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | B♭, C♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | F♭, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to C♭ on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 6 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 18 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A♭ bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D♭ on the low E string at fret 9 up to F♭ on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | F♭, F, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A♭ bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 13 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 13 | E♭, F♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to A♭ harmonic minor, inserting F between F♭ and G. The scale retains the harmonic minor’s augmented 5th and major 7th, so it 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 4, 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. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.