Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ bebop major scale on ukulele
A♭ bebop major scale is A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ♭6, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ bebop major scale on ukulele?
A♭ bebop major 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) | 0, 1, 3 | F♭, F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ bebop major 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, 4, 5 | 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 major 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, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | E♭, F♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ bebop major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 9, 10 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
A♭ bebop major 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, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ bebop major adds a ♭6 to A♭ major, creating an eight-note scale with a passing tone between the 5th and 6th. The added F♭ is an augmented 5th from A♭, while F remains the major 6th. This scale contains a tritone and a leading tone.
When to use it
Use A♭ bebop major over A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. The ♭6 works as a passing tone over E diminished and F minor. It fits A♭ major progressions and bebop lines in A♭.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first; it keeps the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4. This position covers frets 0–3 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ bebop major?
A♭ bebop major contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, and G. The scale adds a ♭6 to A♭ major. The ♭6 is a passing tone between the 5th and 6th. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ bebop major?
A♭ bebop major fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. The ♭6 works over E diminished and F minor. Use it over A♭ major progressions.
How is A♭ bebop major spelled?
A♭ bebop major is spelled A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, G. The ♭6 is F♭, not E. Use A♭ spelling in flat keys.