Explore scales · Ukulele
B bebop dominant scale on ukulele
B bebop dominant contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, G♯♯, and A♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 4 for a compact dominant shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the B bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
B bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 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 4 and the A string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 6 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 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 E string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | G♯, G♯♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B bebop dominant adds G♯♯ to B major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between D♯ and G♯♯, and the leading tone A♯ resolves to B. The added G♯♯ smooths descending lines over B7 chords.
When to use it
B bebop dominant fits B major and B 5th chords, especially in jazz and swing. Use it over B7 in E major progressions. The G♯♯ passing tone works in blues and bebop lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 4 and covers frets 1–4, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B bebop dominant?
B bebop dominant contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, G♯♯, and A♯. The G♯♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords.
Which chords does B bebop dominant fit?
B bebop dominant fits B major and B 5th chords. It also works over B7 in dominant contexts. The added G♯♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does B bebop dominant differ from B major?
B bebop dominant adds G♯♯ to B major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.