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F♯ melodic minor scale on guitar
F♯ melodic minor uses F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯. Box 1 starts on string 6, fret 2 for a low root.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F♯ melodic minor scale on guitar?
F♯ melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 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 D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F♯ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 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 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 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 14, the G string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees of F♯ natural minor, creating a major-scale upper tetrachord. Compare it with F♯ major, which has A♯ instead of A. The scale is also called Jazz Minor or Gauri Manohari.
When to use it
F♯ melodic minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 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 6, fret 2, and the shape covers frets 2–5, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ melodic minor?
F♯ melodic minor contains F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. 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 G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ melodic minor fit?
F♯ melodic minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. The raised sixth and seventh create a major feel over the upper tetrachord. It suits jazz and fusion minor progressions.
How does F♯ melodic minor differ from F♯ major?
F♯ melodic minor has A natural, while F♯ major has A♯. The sixth and seventh degrees are raised in melodic minor. This gives a minor third with a major sixth and seventh.