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E bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
E bebop melodic minor runs E, F♯, G, A, B, C, C♯, D♯. The added major 6th creates a chromatic run from C to D♯ for fluid bebop phrasing.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the E bebop melodic minor scale on guitar?
E 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 low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e 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) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 2 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 18 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E bebop 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 A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 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 low E string at fret 12, the G string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E bebop melodic minor in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12, the D string at fret 14 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13, 14 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
E bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to E harmonic minor, inserting C♯ between C and D♯. The scale retains the harmonic minor’s augmented 5th and major 7th, so it contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with E harmonic minor to hear the added passing tone.
When to use it
E bebop melodic minor fits E minor and E 5th chords, especially in jazz lines where the major 6th adds forward motion. Use it over E minor or E 5th in bebop and swing styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 2, and the shape covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 for higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in E bebop melodic minor?
E bebop melodic minor contains E, F♯, G, A, B, C, C♯, and D♯. The added C♯ is the major 6th that creates the bebop passing tone. The scale has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does E bebop melodic minor fit?
E bebop melodic minor fits E minor and E 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 E bebop melodic minor differ from E harmonic minor?
E bebop melodic minor adds C♯ between C and D♯. E harmonic minor has only seven notes and lacks the major 6th. The added note creates a chromatic run for smoother lines.