Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ melodic minor scale on ukulele
B♭ melodic minor contains B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 4 fret 3 and string 1 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ melodic minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 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 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 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, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 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, 10 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
Lower the third of B♭ major to D♭ 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 B♭ major to hear the single-note difference.
When to use it
Use it over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords in jazz and fusion. The raised sixth and seventh smooth lines over B♭ minor and B♭ 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 3 and covers frets 0–3, setting up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ melodic minor?
The notes are B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, and A. The scale has a minor third and major sixth and seventh. This gives it a brighter sound than natural minor. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit B♭ melodic minor?
The tonic chord is B♭ minor. The fourth and fifth degrees are E♭ major and F major. The sixth and seventh degrees are G minor 7♭5 and A minor 7♭5.
How does B♭ melodic minor differ from B♭ major?
B♭ melodic minor has a flat third compared to B♭ major. The sixth and seventh degrees are the same. Only the note D♭ differs from D.