A map of E melodic minor on the guitar, based on melodic minor interval symmetry:
Like all symmetrical patterns in the Fretography® system, these patterns are structured so the lower three strings (E A D) form one symmetry, and the top four strings (D G B E) form another, with the D string part of both groupings.
When studying the patterns, be aware that you are not looking for 'mirror symmetry' but instead you will look for 'rotational symmetry'. This means that the shapes are the same when rotated 180ยบ from each other.
The diagram below shows how mode patterns align with rotational symmetry. The modes are paired in darkened patterns within the zones to emphasize their symmetry:
This symmetry occurs on the fretboard because it is built into the interval structure of the melodic minor modes.
Here's the interval structure of the modes of E melodic minor:
... and as Roman numerals which pertain to any key:
