Explore scales · Bass
B bebop major scale on bass guitar
B bebop major contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for a mid-neck run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the B bebop major scale on bass?
B bebop major 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 3. The root falls on the A 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) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B bebop major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 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 E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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 D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B bebop major in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 13 | F♯, G, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B bebop major adds G, the ♭6, to B major's seven notes. The added ♭6 creates a chromatic step between G♯ and A♯, smoothing ascending lines. B major supplies the parent scale; the bebop variant keeps its major 3rd and major 7th.
When to use it
B bebop major fits B major and B 5th chords. Use it over B major progressions in jazz and swing. The ♭6 works as a passing tone to the 6th or 7th.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger and covers frets 0–3 for quick two-octave runs.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop major?
B bebop major contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, and A♯. The added G is the ♭6. This creates an eight-note scale.
Which chords does B bebop major fit?
B bebop major fits B major and B 5th chords. The ♭6 is a passing tone, not a chord tone. Use it on dominant or major seventh chords.
How does the ♭6 function in B bebop major?
The ♭6, G, sits between the 5th and 6th. It creates a chromatic passing tone into G♯ or A♯. This smooths ascending lines in jazz and swing.