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