Explore scales · Guitar
G bebop dominant scale on guitar
G bebop dominant includes G, A, B, C, D, E, E♯, F♯. Box 3 keeps the root on string 5, fret 10 for an upper-neck dominant shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the G bebop dominant scale on guitar?
G bebop dominant 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 low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 2, 3 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G bebop dominant 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
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, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | E, E♯, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G bebop dominant 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 A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
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, E♯, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
G bebop dominant 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 E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | E♯, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Insert a chromatic ♯6 between E and F♯ in G major. The eight-note scale lets you play continuous eighth notes with chord tones on downbeats. Compare it with G major to hear the added note.
When to use it
Use it over G7, G9, or G13 in jazz, blues, and rock. It also works over the V chord in C major. Try it with G major or D major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 3 first. Its root on string 5, fret 10 gives you a high position for fast dominant runs.
Common questions
What is the ♯6 in G bebop dominant?
The ♯6 is E♯, placed between E and F♯. It creates a chromatic passing tone that smooths the line. This note is the only difference from G major.
Which chords fit G bebop dominant?
Use it over dominant chords like G7, G9, and G13. It also works over the V chord in C major. The scale adds tension that resolves to the tonic.
Can I use G bebop dominant over a blues in G?
Yes, it works over the G7 chord in a blues. The added ♯6 gives you a smooth chromatic line between the sixth and seventh. It sounds more jazzy than the blues scale.