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C♯ bebop dominant scale on guitar
C♯ bebop dominant contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, A♯♯, and B♯. Practise Box 2 first to keep the root on string 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the C♯ bebop dominant scale on guitar?
C♯ bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 19 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A♯♯ on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 19 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ bebop dominant in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 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 D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, A♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | A♯, A♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ bebop dominant adds a passing A♯♯ to C♯ major. The added note is a minor 7th above C♯, while B♯ is the major 7th. This creates a chromatic step between A♯, A♯♯, and B♯. The scale has a tritone and a leading tone.
When to use it
Use C♯ bebop dominant over C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It fits dominant progressions in F♯ major and works for swing, bebop, and jazz-blues lines.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 2 first. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 4 and covers frets 4–7, which sets up Box 3.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ bebop dominant?
C♯ bebop dominant contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, A♯♯, and B♯. The added A♯♯ is the chromatic passing tone between A♯ and B♯. It is the ♯6 degree. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ bebop dominant fit?
C♯ bebop dominant fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over dominant progressions in F♯ major. Use it for jazz and swing lines.
What is the enharmonic spelling of C♯?
The notes sound the same but are written differently. Use C♯ when the key signature has sharps.