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B bebop minor scale on guitar
B bebop minor uses B, C♯, D, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A. Box 1 starts on string 6, fret 7 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B bebop minor scale on guitar?
B bebop minor 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, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 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 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♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B bebop minor 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, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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 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, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 9 | D, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
B bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 19 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, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
B bebop minor 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, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | C♯, D, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B bebop minor adds the major 3rd D♯ to the seven-note B dorian scale. The extra note creates a chromatic run from D to D♯ to E. This scale contains a tritone between D and G♯. It has no leading tone.
When to use it
B bebop minor fits B major and B minor chords. Use it over B blues progressions and jazz minor vamps. The added D♯ smooths lines over dominant chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 7, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop minor?
B bebop minor contains B, C♯, D, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, and A. 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 B bebop minor fit?
B bebop minor fits B major and B minor chords. The scale also works over B dominant 7th chords. Use it in jazz and blues contexts.
What is the relative major of B bebop minor?
B bebop minor shares its key signature with D major. The relative major is D. This relationship helps when moving between major and minor bebop sounds.