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