Explore scales · Ukulele
C melodic minor scale on ukulele
C melodic minor contains C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 4 fret 5 and string 1 fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C melodic minor scale on ukulele?
C melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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, 2 | G, 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 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 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, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C 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 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 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C 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 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, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C melodic minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 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, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
Lower the third of C major to E♭ 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 C major to hear the single-note difference.
When to use it
Use it over C minor and C 5th chords in jazz and fusion. The raised sixth and seventh smooth lines over C minor and C 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 5 and covers frets 0–3, setting up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in C melodic minor?
The notes are C, D, E♭, F, G, A, and B. The scale has a minor third and major sixth and seventh. This gives it a brighter sound than natural minor.
What chords fit C melodic minor?
The tonic chord is C minor. The fourth and fifth degrees are F major and G major. The sixth and seventh degrees are A minor 7♭5 and B minor 7♭5.
How does C melodic minor differ from C major?
C melodic minor has a flat third compared to C major. The sixth and seventh degrees are the same. Only the note E♭ differs from E.