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