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