Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ bebop minor scale on ukulele
A♭ bebop minor contains A♭, B♭, C♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G♭. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ bebop minor scale on ukulele?
A♭ bebop minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 3 | B♭, C♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ bebop minor 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, 4, 5, 6 | B♭, C♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A♭ bebop minor 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, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 8 | B♭, C♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ bebop minor 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, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ bebop minor adds the major 3rd C to A♭ dorian, which supplies A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. The added C sits between the minor 3rd C♭ and perfect 4th D♭. The internal interval C♭ to F is a diminished 5th, giving the scale a tritone. Compare with A♭ dorian to hear the passing tone.
When to use it
A♭ bebop minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ major chords, where the added C passes between C♭ and D♭. Use it over A♭ minor or A♭ major in bebop and hard-bop lines. The scale also works over D♭ major and E♭ minor progressions in C♭ major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root at string 4, fret 1 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 3, fret 8.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ bebop minor?
A♭ bebop minor contains A♭, B♭, C♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G♭. The added C is the major 3rd passing tone. The scale has eight notes, one more than a seven-note dorian scale. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ bebop minor?
A♭ bebop minor fits A♭ minor and A♭ major chords. The added C passes between C♭ and D♭ over either chord. Use it with A♭ minor or A♭ major.
Does A♭ bebop minor have a tritone?
A♭ bebop minor has a tritone between C♭ and F. That interval is a diminished 5th. The scale contains one tritone.