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