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B♭ bebop major scale on guitar
B♭ bebop major adds G♭ between G and A to B♭ major, giving B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G♭, G, A. Box 1 keeps the root on string 6, fret 6 for quick bebop lines.
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 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ bebop major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 6, the G string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | F, G♭, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 6 | D, E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 6, the D string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 8 | F, G♭, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | F, G♭, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ bebop major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 18 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 13 and the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | F, G♭, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ bebop major is B♭ major with an added ♭6, G♭. The extra note creates a chromatic run from F through G♭ and G to A. This scale contains a tritone and a leading tone, so it resolves strongly to B♭ major chords.
When to use it
Use B♭ bebop major over B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords in jazz and swing. The added G♭ works as a passing tone between F and G. It fits bebop heads and ii–V–I progressions in B♭ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 6, and the shape covers frets 1–4 for fast position shifts.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ bebop major?
B♭ bebop major contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G♭, G, and A. The scale adds a ♭6 to the B♭ major scale. This creates an eight-note scale used for bebop lines. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ bebop major?
B♭ bebop major fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. The added G♭ is a passing tone, so it works over major and dominant sounds. Avoid holding G♭ over the chord.
How does B♭ bebop major differ from B♭ major?
B♭ bebop major adds G♭ between G and A. This creates a chromatic run from F through G♭ and G to A. The added note is a passing tone, not a chord tone.