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