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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 4 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, 15 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 B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | D♯, E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 2 | E, E♯, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C♯ bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 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) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C♯ bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 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 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♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
C♯ bebop minor in box 4 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, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C♯ bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 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 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, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
C♯ bebop minor in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 19 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, 12, 13, 14 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | 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 4, 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.