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