Three notes per string

A Melodic Minor — Three Notes Per String

All 7 three-notes-per-string positions for the A melodic minor scale, drawn on the neck between frets 0 and 16.

4567891011ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCD

Swipe the neck sideways to see the higher frets.

Three notes on every string gives the A melodic minor scale exactly 7 positions — one starting on each note of the scale, 18 notes apiece, together covering frets 0 to 16. Each shape is placed at the lowest fret its starting note allows, which is why position 5 starts on E down at frets 0–5 instead of carrying on up the neck. Move any of them twelve frets and you have the same shape an octave higher.

Position 1 — frets 5–10

Shown above.

Position 2 — frets 7–12

678910111213BCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDE

Position 3 — frets 8–14

789101112131415CDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#

Position 4 — frets 10–16

91011121314151617DEF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#

Position 5 — frets 0–5

0123456EF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#A

Position 6 — frets 2–7

12345678F#G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#AB

Position 7 — frets 3–9

2345678910G#ABCDEF#G#ABCDEF#G#ABC
Position 1
5–10
Position 2
7–12
Position 3
8–14
Position 4
10–16
Position 5
0–5
Position 6
2–7
Position 7
3–9
Practise these positions with the loop player →

Opens the Practice Loop on position 1. Switch positions there without losing your tempo.