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