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C bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
C bebop melodic minor runs C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, A, B. The added major 6th creates a chromatic run from A♭ to B for fluid bebop phrasing.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the C bebop melodic minor scale on guitar?
C bebop 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 A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, A, B |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 6 | D, E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 17 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 8, the G string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, A♭, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 10 | G, A♭, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 18 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 D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, A♭, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
C bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to C harmonic minor, inserting A between A♭ and B. The scale retains the harmonic minor’s augmented 5th and major 7th, so it contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with C harmonic minor to hear the added passing tone.
When to use it
C bebop melodic minor fits C minor and C 5th chords, especially in jazz lines where the major 6th adds forward motion. Use it over C minor or C 5th in bebop and swing styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 3, and the shape covers frets 1–4. It sets up Box 2 for higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in C bebop melodic minor?
C bebop melodic minor contains C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, A, and B. The added A is the major 6th that creates the bebop passing tone. The scale has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does C bebop melodic minor fit?
C bebop melodic minor fits C minor and C 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 C bebop melodic minor differ from C harmonic minor?
C bebop melodic minor adds A between A♭ and B. C harmonic minor has only seven notes and lacks the major 6th. The added note creates a chromatic run for smoother lines.