Explore scales · Ukulele
A bebop dominant scale on ukulele
A bebop dominant contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, F♯♯, and G♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 2 for fast dominant runs.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the A bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
A bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 4 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 4 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 11, 12 | F♯, F♯♯, G♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A bebop dominant adds F♯♯ to A major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between C♯ and G♯, and the leading tone G♯ resolves to A. The added F♯♯ smooths descending lines over A7 chords.
When to use it
A bebop dominant fits A major and A 5th chords, especially in jazz and swing. Use it over A7 in D major progressions. The F♯♯ passing tone works in blues and bebop lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 1–4, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A bebop dominant?
A bebop dominant contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, F♯♯, and G♯. The F♯♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords.
Which chords does A bebop dominant fit?
A bebop dominant fits A major and A 5th chords. It also works over A7 in dominant contexts. The added F♯♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does A bebop dominant differ from A major?
A bebop dominant adds F♯♯ to A major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.