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