Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ bebop minor scale on guitar
F♯ bebop minor uses F♯, G♯, A, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E. Box 1 starts on string 6, fret 2 for a compact shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ bebop minor scale on guitar?
F♯ bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 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 low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 2 | A, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 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 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, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 4 | A, A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 19 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, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ bebop minor in box 4 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, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 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 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, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, D♯, E |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F♯ 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 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, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 13, 14 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ bebop minor adds the major 3rd A♯ to the seven-note F♯ dorian scale. The extra note creates a chromatic run from A to A♯ to B. This scale contains a tritone between A and D♯. It has no leading tone.
When to use it
F♯ bebop minor fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. Use it over F♯ blues progressions and jazz minor vamps. The added A♯ smooths lines over dominant chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 2, covering frets 0–3 for low-position lines.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ bebop minor?
F♯ bebop minor contains F♯, G♯, A, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E. 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 G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ bebop minor fit?
F♯ bebop minor fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. The scale also works over F♯ dominant 7th chords. Use it in jazz and blues contexts.
What is the relative major of F♯ bebop minor?
F♯ bebop minor shares its key signature with A major. The relative major is A. This relationship helps when moving between major and minor bebop sounds.