Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ melodic minor scale on ukulele
F♯ melodic minor contains F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯. Box 1 spans frets 1–4 with roots on string 3 fret 6 and string 2 fret 2.
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 1 to fret 4, 10 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, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ melodic minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 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, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ melodic minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 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, 8 | C♯, 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♯ melodic minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
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 6 and covers frets 1–4, 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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♯.