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 6 and string 2 fret 2.
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 1 to fret 4, 11 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 E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 3 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ bebop melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ bebop 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 C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ bebop melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
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 6 keeps the hand low, and the shape covers frets 1–4 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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♯.