Explore scales · Bass
E♭ bebop major scale on bass guitar
E♭ bebop major contains E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, C, and D. Box 1 places the root on string 2, 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 E♭ bebop major scale on bass?
E♭ bebop major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | B♭, C♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ bebop major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 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 A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 5 | B♭, C♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E♭ bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 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 A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | B♭, C♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E♭ 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 F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the G 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, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 9, 10 | B♭, C♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E♭ bebop major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ bebop major adds C♭, the ♭6, to E♭ major's seven notes. The added ♭6 creates a chromatic step between C and D, smoothing ascending lines. E♭ major supplies the parent scale; the bebop variant keeps its major 3rd and major 7th.
When to use it
E♭ bebop major fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. Use it over E♭ 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 E♭ bebop major?
E♭ bebop major contains E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C♭, C, and D. The added C♭ is the ♭6. This creates an eight-note scale. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ bebop major fit?
E♭ bebop major fits E♭ major and E♭ 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 E♭ bebop major?
The ♭6, C♭, sits between the 5th and 6th. It creates a chromatic passing tone into C or D. This smooths ascending lines in jazz and swing.