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