Explore scales · Guitar
B bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
B bebop melodic minor runs B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, G♯, A♯. The 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 B bebop melodic minor scale on guitar?
B bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B 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 G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the G string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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 low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 9 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 18 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
B bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to B harmonic minor, placing G♯ between G and A♯. 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 B harmonic minor to hear the added passing tone.
When to use it
B bebop melodic minor fits B minor and B 5th chords, especially in jazz lines where the major 6th adds forward motion. Use it over B minor or B 5th in bebop and swing styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 7, and the shape covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 for higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop melodic minor?
B bebop melodic minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G, G♯, and A♯. The added G♯ is the major 6th that creates the bebop passing tone. The scale has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does B bebop melodic minor fit?
B bebop melodic minor fits B minor and B 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 B bebop melodic minor differ from B harmonic minor?
B bebop melodic minor adds G♯ between G and A♯. B harmonic minor has only seven notes and lacks the major 6th. The added note creates a chromatic run for smoother lines.