Explore scales · Ukulele
D melodic minor scale on ukulele
D melodic minor contains D, E, F, G, A, B, C♯. Box 1 spans frets 2–5 with roots on string 3 fret 2 and string 1 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D melodic minor scale on ukulele?
D melodic minor in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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 C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4, 5 | D, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
D 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 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 7 | E, F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
D melodic minor in box 3 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 G string at fret 7 and the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
D melodic minor in box 4 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 E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
Lower the third of D major to F 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 D major to hear the single-note difference.
When to use it
Use it over D minor and D 5th chords in jazz and fusion. The raised sixth and seventh smooth lines over D minor and D 5th. It fits minor-key vamps and modal interchange.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 3 fret 2 and covers frets 2–5, setting up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
Which notes are in D melodic minor?
The notes are D, E, F, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale has a minor third and major sixth and seventh. This gives it a brighter sound than natural minor.
What chords fit D melodic minor?
The tonic chord is D minor. The fourth and fifth degrees are G major and A major. The sixth and seventh degrees are B minor 7♭5 and C♯ minor 7♭5.
How does D melodic minor differ from D major?
D melodic minor has a flat third compared to D major. The sixth and seventh degrees are the same. Only the note F differs from F♯.