Explore scales · Ukulele
E bebop dominant scale on ukulele
E bebop dominant contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, C♯♯, and D♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 4 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 E bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
E bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 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 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 3, 4 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
E bebop dominant in box 2 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 C string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, C♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 6, 7 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E bebop dominant in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 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 9 and the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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 G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, C♯♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
E bebop dominant adds C♯♯ to E major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between G♯ and C♯♯, and the leading tone D♯ resolves to E. The added C♯♯ smooths descending lines over E7 chords.
When to use it
E bebop dominant fits E major and E 5th chords. Use it over E7 in A major progressions. The C♯♯ passing tone suits jazz and swing lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 4 and covers frets 1–4, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in E bebop dominant?
E bebop dominant contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, C♯♯, and D♯. The C♯♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords.
Which chords does E bebop dominant fit?
E bebop dominant fits E major and E 5th chords. It also works over E7 in dominant contexts. The added C♯♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does E bebop dominant differ from E major?
E bebop dominant adds C♯♯ to E major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.