Explore scales · Guitar
B bebop dominant scale on guitar
B bebop dominant has B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, G♯♯, A♯. Box 3 keeps the root on string 6, fret 7 for upper-neck dominant phrases.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the B bebop dominant scale on guitar?
B bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 2 | G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯♯ on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 19 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the G string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 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 D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B bebop dominant in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 19 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Add a passing ♯6 between G♯ and A♯ to B major. This eight-note scale aligns chord tones with strong beats in eighth-note lines. Compare it with B major to hear the chromatic addition.
When to use it
Use it over B7, B9, or B13 in bebop and fusion. It also works over the V chord in E major. Try it with B major or F♯ major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 3 first. Its root on string 6, fret 7 gives you a high position for fast dominant runs.
Common questions
What is the ♯6 in B bebop dominant?
The ♯6 is G♯♯, placed between G♯ and A♯. It creates a chromatic passing tone that smooths the line. This note is the only difference from B major.
Which chords fit B bebop dominant?
Use it over dominant chords like B7, B9, and B13. It also works over the V chord in E major. The scale adds tension that resolves to the tonic.
Can I use B bebop dominant over a blues in B?
Yes, it works over the B7 chord in a blues. The added ♯6 gives you a smooth chromatic line between the sixth and seventh. It sounds more jazzy than the blues scale.