Melodic Minor Scale Guitar
5 fretboard positions with TAB, all 12 keys, and jazz guitar applications for the scale that defines smooth minor improvisation.
Two Notes Change Everything
Harmonic minor raises only the 7th (creating an exotic augmented 2nd). Melodic minor raises both the 6th and 7th, eliminating that gap and giving a smoother, more vocal ascending line. In jazz, this ascending form is used in both directions.
5 Positions for A Melodic Minor
Root note (A) on low E string at fret 5. The raised 6th (F#) and raised 7th (G#) are highlighted in violet in each position.
Position 1 (Root Shape)
Start here. Root on low E at fret 5 (A). The raised 6th (F#) and raised 7th (G#) give this shape a major-scale feel from the 5th degree onward. This is the classic jazz minor position for soloing over im7 chords.
| e | | | 58 |
| B | | | 568 |
| G | | | 57 |
| D | | | 57 |
| A | | | 57 |
| E | | | 457 |
Position 2
Root on A string at fret 7. The raised 6th (F#) and raised 7th (G#) appear consecutively on the e and B strings -- the smooth step motion that makes melodic minor so vocal-sounding. Great for bebop lines.
| e | | | 7810 |
| B | | | 810 |
| G | | | 79 |
| D | | | 7910 |
| A | | | 7810 |
| E | | | 7810 |
Position 3
Mid-neck position. Root on G string at fret 9. Notice how this position feels almost like G major (two frets up) -- that is because melodic minor shares 6 notes with the major scale a minor 3rd above. Used heavily in fusion and jazz-rock.
| e | | | 1012 |
| B | | | 1012 |
| G | | | 91012 |
| D | | | 101112 |
| A | | | 1012 |
| E | | | 1012 |
Position 4
Octave of Position 1. Root on low E at fret 12. The raised 6th and raised 7th give a bright, ascending quality even in the high register. Great for neo-soul chord fills and jazz guitar comping.
| e | | | 1215 |
| B | | | 1315 |
| G | | | 1214 |
| D | | | 1214 |
| A | | | 1214 |
| E | | | 121315 |
Position 5
High neck position. Root on A at fret 17 (high e). Connects back to Position 1 an octave above. Use this position for melodic lines that travel up the neck and resolve on the root. The smooth voice-leading is most apparent here.
| e | | | 1517 |
| B | | | 1517 |
| G | | | 141617 |
| D | | | 141617 |
| A | | | 141517 |
| E | | | 1517 |
How to Use the Raised 6th and 7th
Build the iminMaj7 chord
Root + b3 + 5 + major 7 = Am/maj7 (A C E G#). The raised 7th gives this chord its sophisticated neo-soul quality. It only exists in melodic minor.
Use over im7 in jazz
In a minor ii-V-i (Bm7b5 - E7 - Am), play A melodic minor over the im7 tonic chord. The raised 6th and 7th create natural extensions that fit perfectly.
Avoid the augmented 2nd
Harmonic minor has an awkward 3-fret stretch between b6 and the raised 7th. Melodic minor raises both, giving stepwise motion (2 frets between 6 and 7) and a smoother, more vocal sound.
Lydian Dominant (mode 4)
Start melodic minor from its 4th degree to get the Lydian Dominant mode (1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7) -- the most important fusion scale. E Lydian Dominant = B melodic minor starting on E.
Detect key first
Use BeatKey to detect the key of your reference track. If it is minor, check whether it sounds smooth and ascending (melodic) or exotic/Arabic (harmonic). Then find the right positions.
Connect to IVmaj7
In A melodic minor, the IV chord is Dmaj7 (D F# A C#) -- a major 7th chord. This is different from natural minor (iv minor) and harmonic minor (IV with #7). This brightness is what makes jazz minor sound jazz.
Melodic Minor vs Natural Minor vs Harmonic Minor
| Feature | Melodic Minor | Natural Minor | Harmonic Minor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 | 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 | 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 |
| A minor example | A B C D E F# G# | A B C D E F G | A B C D E F G# |
| Raised 6th | Yes (F#) | No (F natural) | No (F natural) |
| Raised 7th | Yes (G#) | No (G natural) | Yes (G#) |
| Augmented 2nd | None | None | Yes (F to G#) |
| Sound character | Smooth, vocal, jazz | Dark, emotional, rock/metal | Exotic, classical, flamenco |
| Key guitar genre | Jazz, neo-soul, fusion | Rock, metal, pop | Neoclassical metal, flamenco |
| Signature chord | iminMaj7 | im7 | V7 (dominant with leading tone) |
Famous Melodic Minor Guitar Songs
All 12 Melodic Minor Keys for Guitar
| Key | Notes | Raised 6th | Raised 7th | Low E fret | Best genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A melodic minor | A B C D E F# G# | F# | G# | 5 | Jazz, Neo-Soul, Fusion |
| Bb melodic minor | Bb C Db Eb F G A | G | A | 6 | Jazz, Film Score, R&B |
| B melodic minor | B C# D E F# G# A# | G# | A# | 7 | Jazz, Classical, Fusion |
| C melodic minor | C D Eb F G A B | A | B | 8 | Classical, Jazz, Neo-Soul |
| C# melodic minor | C# D# E F# G# A# B# | A# | B# | 9 | Jazz, Film Score, Progressive |
| D melodic minor | D E F G A B C# | B | C# | 10 | Jazz, Fusion, Blues-Jazz |
| D# melodic minor | D# E# F# G# A# B# C## | B# | C## | 11 | Classical, Jazz |
| E melodic minor | E F# G A B C# D# | C# | D# | 12 | Classical, Jazz, Rock-Jazz |
| F melodic minor | F G Ab Bb C D E | D | E | 1 | Jazz, Film Score, Neo-Soul |
| F# melodic minor | F# G# A B C# D# E# | D# | E# | 2 | Jazz, Progressive, Classical |
| G melodic minor | G A Bb C D E F# | E | F# | 3 | Jazz, Latin Jazz, Neo-Soul |
| G# melodic minor | G# A# B C# D# E# F## | E# | F## | 4 | Classical, Jazz, Fusion |
Melodic Minor Guitar by Genre
| Genre | Common keys | Application | Pro tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz / Bebop | A, D, G melodic minor | Over im7 and im7b5 chords in minor ii-V-i progressions | Use ascending form over im7 (iminM7), switch to natural minor for relaxed sections |
| Jazz Fusion | D melodic minor, A melodic minor | Modal approach over sus chords and altered dominants | Lydian Dominant (mode 4) = melodic minor starting on the 4th degree -- essential for fusion |
| Neo-Soul / R&B | G melodic minor, C melodic minor | iminMaj7 chord voicings, smooth ascending lines | The raised 6th and 7th create major extensions (9th, 13th) from the tonic minor perspective |
| Classical Guitar | A, E, D melodic minor | Ascending melodic lines in minor key pieces | Classical convention: use ascending form going up, natural minor going down |
| Film Score | Any key | Lyrical minor melodies with smooth voice-leading, avoiding the exotic augmented 2nd of harmonic minor | When you want emotional minor without the "Middle Eastern" color, melodic minor is the choice |
| Latin Jazz / Bossa Nova | G, A, D melodic minor | Minor key standards, smooth melodic improvisation | The raised 6th avoids tension against the IV major chord common in Latin minor progressions |
6 Practice Tips for Melodic Minor Guitar
Learn iminMaj7 arpeggios
The iminMaj7 arpeggio (root-b3-5-maj7) is the most useful melodic minor shape. Learn it in all 5 positions before working on full scale runs.
Compare against natural minor
Play A natural minor, then A melodic minor. The two-fret difference (F to F#, G to G#) is subtle but creates a completely different character. Train your ear to hear it.
Use a backing track
Play over an Am7 backing track. The iminMaj7 sound (G# note over Am) will feel unusual at first -- that tension is exactly what jazz and neo-soul guitar is built on.
Learn the Lydian Dominant
Mode 4 of melodic minor is the Lydian Dominant scale (1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7). If you know A melodic minor, you know D Lydian Dominant starting on D (fret 5, A string). This unlocks the fusion guitar sound.
Detect key with BeatKey
Use BeatKey to detect the key of your reference track. If it is minor and you hear a jazzy or smooth quality, it is likely using melodic minor. Then find the root on your guitar neck.
Connect all 5 positions
Practice shifting between Position 1 and Position 2, then 2 to 3, etc. Melodic minor's smooth voice-leading makes position shifts feel natural because F# and G# create a strong pull toward the tonic.
3-Step Melodic Minor Guitar Workflow
Upload your track to BeatKey and get BPM + key + Camelot code instantly. No account needed.
Use the Guitar Scales interactive fretboard to see melodic minor positions on a live guitar neck.
Use Chord Finder to identify if the reference track uses iminMaj7, IVmaj7, or V7 -- confirming melodic minor.
More Guitar Scale Guides
FAQ
What is the melodic minor scale on guitar?
The melodic minor scale on guitar has the formula 1-2-b3-4-5-6-7. It is identical to the major scale but with a flat 3rd (b3). The raised 6th and raised 7th (vs natural minor) create smooth voice-leading without the exotic augmented 2nd of harmonic minor. It is the foundational scale of jazz guitar improvisation.
What is the difference between melodic minor and natural minor on guitar?
Natural minor has b3, b6, and b7. Melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th, so only b3 is lowered. In A: natural minor = A B C D E F G. Melodic minor = A B C D E F# G#. On guitar this means two fret positions change per octave, turning an "F" into an "F#" and a "G" into a "G#".
When do I use melodic minor vs harmonic minor on guitar?
Use melodic minor for smooth, vocal-sounding jazz lines and neo-soul -- it avoids the exotic augmented 2nd of harmonic minor. Use harmonic minor when you want the classical or flamenco sound, or for neoclassical metal runs that emphasize the augmented 2nd between b6 and the raised 7th.
What is the iminMaj7 chord and why does it come from melodic minor?
The iminMaj7 chord (like Am/maj7: A C E G#) is built from the 1st, b3rd, 5th, and major 7th of the melodic minor scale. Only melodic minor has both a minor 3rd (b3) and a major 7th (7) -- natural and harmonic minor each lack one of these. It appears in jazz, neo-soul, and film scores as a sophisticated minor tonic.