Explore scales · Bass
A bebop minor scale on bass guitar
A bebop minor contains A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 and places the root on string 4, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A bebop minor scale on bass?
A bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 13 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | C, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
A bebop minor adds a major 3rd to A dorian, creating a chromatic run between C and C♯. The scale includes a tritone between C and F♯. It has no leading tone. Compare it with A dorian to hear the added major 3rd.
When to use it
A bebop minor fits A major and A minor chords, and works over B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F♯ minor, and G major. Use it in jazz lines over ii–V progressions in C major. Try A major or A minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger and covers frets 0–3 for quick chromatic runs.
Common questions
What notes are in A bebop minor?
A bebop minor contains A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. The scale adds a major 3rd to A dorian. It has eight notes instead of seven.
Which chords does A bebop minor fit?
A bebop minor fits A major and A minor chords. It also works over B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F♯ minor, and G major. Use it on ii–V progressions in C major.
Does A bebop minor have a leading tone?
A bebop minor has no leading tone. The seventh degree is G, a minor 7th from the root. The scale's chromatic passing tone is the major 3rd, C♯.