Explore scales · Ukulele
A bebop melodic minor scale on ukulele
A bebop melodic minor runs A, B, C, D, E, F, F♯, G♯. Box 1 places roots at string 4 fret 2 and string 2 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the A bebop melodic minor scale on ukulele?
A bebop melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4, 5 | D, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A bebop melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 6 | E, F, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
A bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A bebop melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A bebop melodic minor adds the major 6th F♯ to A harmonic minor, which already has the major 7th G♯. The extra note creates a chromatic run from F to G♯. Compare A harmonic minor to hear the added colour.
When to use it
A bebop melodic minor fits A minor and A 5th chords. Use it over minor vamps in A, especially when the chord moves to E major or E 5th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4 fret 2 keeps the hand low, and the shape covers frets 0–3 for quick access to the chromatic cluster.
Common questions
What notes are in A bebop melodic minor?
A bebop melodic minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F, F♯, G♯. The F♯ is the added major 6th that distinguishes it from A harmonic minor.
Which chords work with A bebop melodic minor?
A bebop melodic minor works over A minor and A 5th chords. The major 7th G♯ also allows it to fit E major or E 5th in an A minor context.
How is A bebop melodic minor different from A harmonic minor?
A bebop melodic minor adds F♯, the major 6th, to A harmonic minor. This creates a chromatic line from F through F♯ to G♯.