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 1 for a low-position 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 1 to fret 4, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ bebop major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | F, G♭, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | F, G♭, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ bebop major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | 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 1–4 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. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.