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D bebop minor scale on guitar
D bebop minor uses D, E, F, F♯, G, A, B, and C. Box 1 starts on string 5, fret 5 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the D bebop minor scale on guitar?
D bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 19 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, 1, 2, 3 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, F, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D bebop minor 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, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 17 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 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, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 19 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, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | E, F, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 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 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, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | F, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
D bebop minor adds the major 3rd F♯ to the seven-note D dorian scale. The extra note creates a chromatic run from F to F♯ to G. This scale contains a tritone between F and B. It has no leading tone.
When to use it
D bebop minor fits D major and D minor chords. Use it over D blues progressions and jazz minor vamps. The added F♯ smooths lines over dominant chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 5, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in D bebop minor?
D bebop minor contains D, E, F, F♯, G, A, B, and C. 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 D bebop minor fit?
D bebop minor fits D major and D minor chords. The scale also works over D dominant 7th chords. Use it in jazz and blues contexts.
What is the relative major of D bebop minor?
D bebop minor shares its key signature with F major. The relative major is F. This relationship helps when moving between major and minor bebop sounds.