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D bebop major scale on guitar
D bebop major includes D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, B, C♯. The added B♭ creates a chromatic run from A to B.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the D bebop major scale on guitar?
D bebop major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 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 D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 2 | A, B♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D bebop major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 18 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, B♭, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the G string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D bebop major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 12 | A, B♭, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
Add B♭ to D major (D–E–F♯–G–A–B–C♯) between A and B. This ♭6 passing tone makes the scale eight notes long and keeps chord tones on strong beats. See D major for the parent scale.
When to use it
Works over D major and D7 chords in swing, bebop, and country. The B♭ adds a bluesy inflection to the major scale. Use it on D major or D 5th vamps.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 5, fret 5, ideal for mid-position lines.
Common questions
What is the formula for D bebop major?
The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7. In D, that gives D, E, F♯, G, A, B♭, B, C♯. The B♭ is the added note.
Which chords can I play D bebop major over?
D major and D7 chords are the primary choices. The scale also fits D6 and D9 chords. The B♭ acts as a chromatic passing tone.
How does D bebop major differ from D major?
D bebop major has an extra B♭ note. D major has seven notes; bebop major has eight. The extra note makes lines fall on chord tones.