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