Explore scales · Ukulele
D bebop dominant scale on ukulele
D bebop dominant contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B, B♯, and C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 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 D bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
D bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the C string at fret 0 up to B♯ on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 2 | B♯, C♯, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, B♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 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 C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, B♯ |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 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 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | B, B♯, C♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
D bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
D bebop dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 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 E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, B♯ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
D bebop dominant adds B♯ to D major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between F♯ and B♯, and the leading tone C♯ resolves to D. The added B♯ smooths descending lines over D7 chords.
When to use it
D bebop dominant fits D major and D 5th chords. Use it over D7 in G major progressions. The B♯ passing tone suits jazz and swing lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in D bebop dominant?
D bebop dominant contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B, B♯, and C♯. The B♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords.
Which chords does D bebop dominant fit?
D bebop dominant fits D major and D 5th chords. It also works over D7 in dominant contexts. The added B♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does D bebop dominant differ from D major?
D bebop dominant adds B♯ to D major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.