The melodic minor scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The melodic minor scale has 7 notes: 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7. In A, that gives A, B, C, D, E, F♯ and G♯. In jazz it is played the same way up and down: the “jazz minor”. It fits the minor-major seventh chord, and its modes are the basis of modern jazz harmony.

Also called: jazz minor scale, jazz minor.

Formula and notes

1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – whole step – whole step – half step. In A:

One position on the neck

The melodic minor scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--5--7-|
D|-4--6--7-|
A|-5--7-|
E|-4--5--7--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the melodic minor scale

Minor with major 6th and 7th. Foundation of modern jazz. In jazz, used both ascending AND descending (unlike classical).

You mostly hear it in jazz, fusion and contemporary music.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the melodic minor scale fits Am(maj7), Am6 and Am9. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the melodic minor scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The major scale: 3 instead of ♭3.
• The harmonic minor scale: ♭6 instead of 6.
• The Dorian mode: ♭7 instead of 7.
• The Neapolitan major scale: ♭2 instead of 2.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions