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