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G bebop melodic minor scale on guitar
G bebop melodic minor runs G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, E, F♯. The added major 6th smooths the ♭6–7 leap for even eighth-note lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the G bebop melodic minor scale on guitar?
G bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 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 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 5 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 18 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
G 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 A string at fret 10 and the B 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) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
Why it sounds like that
G bebop melodic minor adds a major 6th to G harmonic minor, placing E between E♭ and F♯. The scale keeps the harmonic minor’s augmented 5th and major 7th, so it still contains a tritone and a leading tone. Compare it with G harmonic minor to hear the added passing tone.
When to use it
G bebop melodic minor fits G minor and G 5th chords, especially in jazz lines where the major 6th adds forward motion. Use it over G minor or G 5th in bebop and swing styles.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 3, and the shape covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 for higher positions.
Common questions
What notes are in G bebop melodic minor?
G bebop melodic minor contains G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭, E, and F♯. The added E is the major 6th that creates the bebop passing tone. The scale has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does G bebop melodic minor fit?
G bebop melodic minor fits G minor and G 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 G bebop melodic minor differ from G harmonic minor?
G bebop melodic minor adds E between E♭ and F♯. G harmonic minor has only seven notes and lacks the major 6th. The added note creates a chromatic run for smoother lines.