Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ bebop dominant scale on ukulele
A♭ bebop dominant contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, F♯, and G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for easy access to the passing tone.
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 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A♭ bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | F, F♯, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | F, F♯, G, A♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
A♭ bebop dominant in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 11, 12 | F, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 11 | E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | 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 F♯, and the leading tone G resolves to A♭. The added F♯ smooths descending lines over A♭7 chords.
When to use it
A♭ bebop dominant fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. Use it over A♭7 in D♭ major progressions. The F♯ passing tone suits jazz and swing lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 1 and covers frets 0–3, 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. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ bebop dominant fit?
A♭ bebop dominant fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. It also works over A♭7 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.