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A♭ melodic minor scale on guitar
A♭ melodic minor uses A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G. Box 1 starts on string 6, fret 4 for a low root.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ melodic minor scale on guitar?
A♭ melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the G string at fret 1 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 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 | D♭, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 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, 8 | E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A♭ melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 6 strings, from D♭ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. 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 | D♭, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A♭ melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 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, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees of A♭ natural minor, creating a major-scale upper tetrachord. Compare it with A♭ major, which has C natural instead of C♭. The scale is also called Jazz Minor or Gauri Manohari.
When to use it
A♭ melodic minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. Use it over minor progressions in jazz and fusion for a bright, major-like color on the upper tetrachord.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 4, and the shape covers frets 1–4, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ melodic minor?
A♭ melodic minor contains A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The raised sixth and seventh degrees distinguish it from natural minor. The scale is also known as Jazz Minor or Gauri Manohari. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ melodic minor fit?
A♭ melodic minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ 5th chords. The raised sixth and seventh create a major feel over the upper tetrachord. It suits jazz and fusion minor progressions.
How does A♭ melodic minor differ from A♭ major?
A♭ melodic minor has C♭, while A♭ major has C natural. The sixth and seventh degrees are raised in melodic minor. This gives a minor third with a major sixth and seventh.