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