Explore scales · Ukulele
F bebop dominant scale on ukulele
F bebop dominant contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, D♯, and E. Box 1 keeps the root on string 3, fret 5 for a compact dominant shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♯6, 7
How do you play the F bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
F bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 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 E string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 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 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 4, 5 | D, D♯, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F 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 C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 7, 8 | D, D♯, E, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 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 10 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 9, 10 | D, D♯, E, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F bebop dominant in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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 G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, D♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
F bebop dominant adds D♯ to F major, creating a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The scale contains a tritone between A and D♯, and the leading tone E resolves to F. The added D♯ smooths descending lines over F7 chords.
When to use it
F bebop dominant fits F major and F 5th chords, especially in jazz and swing. Use it over F7 in B♭ major progressions. The D♯ passing tone works in blues and bebop lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F bebop dominant?
F bebop dominant contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, D♯, and E. The D♯ is the added passing tone between the major 6th and major 7th. This eight-note scale is used over dominant chords.
Which chords does F bebop dominant fit?
F bebop dominant fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over F7 in dominant contexts. The added D♯ creates smooth chromatic movement.
How does F bebop dominant differ from F major?
F bebop dominant adds D♯ to F major. This creates a passing minor 7th between the major 6th and major 7th. The extra note smooths descending lines over dominant chords.