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B bebop major scale on guitar
B bebop major uses B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, A♯. The added G fills the gap between F♯ and G♯.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the B bebop major scale on guitar?
B bebop major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 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 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B bebop major 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 4. 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, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, G, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 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, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5, 6 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop major 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, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 9 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop major 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, 10, 11 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B bebop major in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 18 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, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 13 | F♯, G, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Begin with B major (B–C♯–D♯–E–F♯–G♯–A♯) and insert G as the ♭6. This extra note creates an eight-note scale that aligns chord tones with downbeats. Compare with B major to hear the added note.
When to use it
Use it over B major or B7 chords in bebop and fusion. The G adds a bluesy edge to the major sound. Try it on B major or B 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 6, fret 7, giving access to low B lines.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop major?
B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, G♯, A♯. The added note is G, the ♭6. It sits between F♯ and G♯.
Which chords fit B bebop major?
B major and B7 chords are the best fits. The scale also works over B6 and B9 chords. The G note adds a passing color.
How do I practise B bebop major effectively?
Start slowly with a metronome and focus on even eighth notes. Practise ascending and descending from each root. Then apply it to a B7 backing track.