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 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 4.
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 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 C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ bebop minor 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 6 and the A 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, 5, 6 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ bebop minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the C string at fret 5 up to E♯ on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7 | A♯, B |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | D♯, E, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C♯ bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 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 E string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | D♯, E, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
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 3, fret 1 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 4, fret 6.
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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.