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F♯ bebop major scale on guitar
F♯ bebop major adds D between C♯ and D♯ to F♯ major, giving F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, D♯, E♯. Box 2 places the root on string 4, fret 4 for mid-neck runs.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the F♯ bebop major scale on guitar?
F♯ bebop major in box 1 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e 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, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 4 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ bebop major in box 2 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 D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ bebop major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 18 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 A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 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 A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ 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 low E string at fret 14, the G string at fret 11 and the high e 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♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ bebop major is F♯ major with an added ♭6, D. The extra note creates a chromatic passage from C♯ through D and D♯ to E♯. This scale contains a tritone and a leading tone, so it resolves strongly to F♯ major chords.
When to use it
Use F♯ bebop major over F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords in bebop and hard bop. The added D works as a passing tone between C♯ and D♯. It fits ii–V–I progressions in F♯ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 4, and the shape covers frets 4–7 for smooth position shifts.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ bebop major?
F♯ bebop major contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D, D♯, and E♯. The scale adds a ♭6 to the F♯ major scale. This creates an eight-note scale used for bebop lines. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ bebop major?
F♯ bebop major fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. The added D is a passing tone, so it works over major and dominant sounds. Avoid holding D over the chord.
How does F♯ bebop major differ from F♯ major?
F♯ bebop major adds D between C♯ and D♯. This creates a chromatic passage from C♯ through D and D♯ to E♯. The added note is a passing tone, not a chord tone.