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