Explore scales · Guitar
G bebop major scale on guitar
G bebop major contains G, A, B, C, D, E♭, E, F♯. The added E♭ fills the gap between D and E.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the G bebop major scale on guitar?
G 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 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, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G bebop major 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, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 5 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G bebop major 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, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 18 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, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 9 | 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 major 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 12. 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, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
Why it sounds like that
Start with G major (G–A–B–C–D–E–F♯) and insert E♭ as the ♭6. This creates an eight-note scale that aligns chord tones with downbeats. Compare with G major to hear the added note.
When to use it
Use it over G major or G7 chords in bebop and hard bop. The E♭ adds a bluesy color against the fifth. Try it on G major or G 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 6, fret 3, giving access to low G lines.
Common questions
What notes are in G bebop major?
G, A, B, C, D, E♭, E, F♯. The added note is E♭, the ♭6. It sits between D and E.
Which chords fit G bebop major?
G major and G7 chords are the best fits. The scale also works over G6 and G9 chords. The E♭ note adds a passing color.
How does G bebop major differ from G major?
G bebop major has an extra E♭ note. G major has seven notes; bebop major has eight. The extra note makes lines fall on chord tones.