Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ bebop minor scale on ukulele
B♭ bebop minor contains B♭, C, D♭, D, E♭, F, G, and A♭. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 3 and string 1, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ bebop minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ bebop minor 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 3 and the A 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, 2, 3 | C, D♭, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ bebop minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | C, D♭, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ bebop minor 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, 6, 7, 8 | C, D♭, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ bebop minor 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, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 10 | C, D♭, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
B♭ bebop minor 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 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 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ bebop minor adds the major 3rd D to B♭ dorian, which supplies B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G, A♭. The added D sits between the minor 3rd D♭ and perfect 4th E♭. The internal interval D♭ to G is a diminished 5th, giving the scale a tritone. Compare with B♭ dorian to hear the passing tone.
When to use it
B♭ bebop minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ major chords, where the added D passes between D♭ and E♭. Use it over B♭ minor or B♭ major in bebop and hard-bop lines. The scale also works over E♭ major and F minor progressions in D♭ major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root at string 4, fret 3 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 2, fret 6.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ bebop minor?
B♭ bebop minor contains B♭, C, D♭, D, E♭, F, G, and A♭. The added D is the major 3rd passing tone. The scale has eight notes, one more than a seven-note dorian scale. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ bebop minor?
B♭ bebop minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ major chords. The added D passes between D♭ and E♭ over either chord. Use it with B♭ minor or B♭ major.
Does B♭ bebop minor have a tritone?
B♭ bebop minor has a tritone between D♭ and G. That interval is a diminished 5th. The scale contains one tritone.