Explore scales · Ukulele
B melodic minor scale on ukulele
B melodic minor contains B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯. Box 1 spans frets 1–4 with roots on string 4 fret 4 and string 1 fret 2.
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 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 4 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B melodic minor in box 2 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 G string at fret 4 and the E string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B melodic minor in box 3 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 E string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | 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 4 and covers frets 1–4, 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.
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♯.