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C♯ bebop major scale on guitar
C♯ bebop major contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A, A♯, B♯. The added A fills the gap between G♯ and A♯.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ bebop major scale on guitar?
C♯ bebop major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 18 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, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | 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 major 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 6. 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, 5, 6 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 6 | G♯, A, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 17 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, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ bebop major 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, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 11 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ bebop major 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, 12, 13 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Start with C♯ major (C♯–D♯–E♯–F♯–G♯–A♯–B♯) and insert A as the ♭6. This creates an eight-note scale that aligns chord tones with downbeats. Compare with C♯ major to hear the added note.
When to use it
Use it over C♯ major or C♯7 chords in bebop and modern jazz. The A adds a bluesy color against the major third. Try it on C♯ major or C♯ 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It covers frets 1–4 with the root on string 5, fret 4, giving access to low C♯ lines.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ bebop major?
C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A, A♯, B♯. The added note is A, the ♭6. It sits between G♯ and A♯. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ bebop major?
C♯ major and C♯7 chords are the best fits. The scale also works over C♯6 and C♯9 chords. The A note adds a passing color.
How does C♯ bebop major differ from C♯ major?
C♯ bebop major has an extra A note. C♯ major has seven notes; bebop major has eight. The extra note makes lines fall on chord tones.