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