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C bebop minor scale on guitar
C bebop minor uses C, D, E♭, E, F, G, A, and B♭. Box 1 starts on string 5, fret 3 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C bebop minor scale on guitar?
C bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 18 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 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C bebop minor 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
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, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 19 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 8, the G string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 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 low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | E♭, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 19 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 D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 12, 13 | D, E♭, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
C bebop minor adds the major 3rd E to the seven-note C dorian scale. The extra note creates a chromatic run from E♭ to E to F. This scale contains a tritone between E♭ and A. It has no leading tone.
When to use it
C bebop minor fits C major and C minor chords. Use it over C blues progressions and jazz minor vamps. The added E smooths lines over dominant chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 3, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in C bebop minor?
C bebop minor contains C, D, E♭, E, F, G, A, and B♭. 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 C bebop minor fit?
C bebop minor fits C major and C minor chords. The scale also works over C dominant 7th chords. Use it in jazz and blues contexts.
What is the relative major of C bebop minor?
C bebop minor shares its key signature with E♭ major. The relative major is E♭. This relationship helps when moving between major and minor bebop sounds.