Tuning-specific scale diagram

B Melodic Minor Scale in Open C Tuning

B Melodic Minor Scale in Open C Tuning shows the same b melodic minor scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C G C E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A#
Formula
1 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 3 5 7 9 11
Tuning
C G C G C E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
C2 to E4
24-fret range
C2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to B Melodic Minor Scale: string 1 E (4). None of those open-string tones is the B root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 1E4

First root on each string

String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 4
String 2Fret 11
String 1Fret 7

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the B root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first B is at fret 7.

Fret 1C#2
Fret 2Db3
Fret 4E4
Fret 6F#5
Fret 8G#6
Fret 10A#7
Fret 11B1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play B Melodic Minor Scale on the low C string at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 1 ring, then connect it to the nearest B root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the B root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 4, 11, and 7, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

B Melodic Minor Scale in Open C Tuning fretboard diagram
B Melodic Minor Scale in Open C Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing C G C G C E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with B Melodic Minor Scale and open c tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings