Explore scales · Ukulele
A melodic minor scale on ukulele
A melodic minor contains A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G♯. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 4 fret 2 and string 2 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A melodic minor scale on ukulele?
A melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 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 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
A melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 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, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
A melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 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, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 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, 11 | E, 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
Lower the third of A major to C and keep the raised sixth and seventh. The result is 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with intervals 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Compare it with A major to hear the single-note difference.
When to use it
Use it over A minor and A 5th chords in jazz and fusion. The raised sixth and seventh smooth lines over A minor and A 5th. It fits minor-key vamps and modal interchange.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 4 fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, setting up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in A melodic minor?
The notes are A, B, C, D, E, F♯, and G♯. The scale has a minor third and major sixth and seventh. This gives it a brighter sound than natural minor.
What chords fit A melodic minor?
The tonic chord is A minor. The fourth and fifth degrees are D major and E major. The sixth and seventh degrees are F♯ minor 7♭5 and G♯ minor 7♭5.
How does A melodic minor differ from A major?
A melodic minor has a flat third compared to A major. The sixth and seventh degrees are the same. Only the note C differs from C♯.