Explore scales · Ukulele
C bebop minor scale on ukulele
C bebop minor contains C, D, E♭, E, F, G, A, and B♭. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 5 and string 1, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C bebop minor scale on ukulele?
C bebop minor 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 C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.
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) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C bebop minor 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 5 and the A 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, 4, 5 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 7 | E, F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
C bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 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 E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, E♭, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
C bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
C bebop minor adds the major 3rd E to C dorian, which supplies C, D, E♭, F, G, A, B♭. The added E sits between the minor 3rd E♭ and perfect 4th F. The internal interval E♭ to A is a diminished 5th, giving the scale a tritone. Compare with C dorian to hear the passing tone.
When to use it
C bebop minor fits C minor and C major chords, where the added E passes between E♭ and F. Use it over C minor or C major in bebop and hard-bop lines. The scale also works over F major and G minor progressions in E♭ major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root at string 4, fret 5 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 1, fret 3.
Common questions
What notes are in C bebop minor?
C bebop minor contains C, D, E♭, E, F, G, A, and B♭. The added E is the major 3rd passing tone. The scale has eight notes, one more than a seven-note dorian scale.
Which chords fit C bebop minor?
C bebop minor fits C minor and C major chords. The added E passes between E♭ and F over either chord. Use it with C minor or C major.
Does C bebop minor have a tritone?
C bebop minor has a tritone between E♭ and A. That interval is a diminished 5th. The scale contains one tritone.