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