Explore scales · Guitar
A bebop minor scale on guitar
A bebop minor uses A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. Box 1 puts the root at string 6, fret 5 for quick runs.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A bebop minor scale on guitar?
A bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 19 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | C, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 19 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | B, C, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 18 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | B, C, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
A bebop minor adds the major 3rd C♯ to the seven-note A dorian scale. The extra note creates a chromatic run from C to C♯ to D. This scale contains a tritone between C and F♯. It has no leading tone.
When to use it
A bebop minor fits A major and A minor chords. Use it over A blues progressions and jazz minor vamps. The added C♯ smooths lines over dominant chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 5, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in A bebop minor?
A bebop minor contains A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. The scale adds a major 3rd to the natural minor. This creates a chromatic passage between the minor 3rd and perfect 4th.
Which chords does A bebop minor fit?
A bebop minor fits A major and A minor chords. The scale also works over A dominant 7th chords. Use it in jazz and blues contexts.
What is the relative major of A bebop minor?
A bebop minor shares its key signature with C major. The relative major is C. This relationship helps when moving between major and minor bebop sounds.