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