Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ bebop dominant scale on ukulele
E♭ bebop dominant contains E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, C♯, and D. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 3 for a compact dominant shape.
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 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 C string at fret 3.
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, C♯, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | C, C♯, D, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ bebop dominant 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 G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | C, C♯, 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
E♭ bebop dominant 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 G string at fret 8.
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, C♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
E♭ bebop dominant 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 E string at fret 11.
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
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 E♭7 chords.
When to use it
E♭ bebop dominant fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords, especially in jazz and swing. Use it over E♭7 in A♭ major progressions. The C♯ passing tone works in blues and bebop lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3, 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. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ bebop dominant fit?
E♭ bebop dominant fits E♭ major and E♭ 5th chords. It also works over E♭7 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.