Explore scales · Ukulele
F bebop minor scale on ukulele
F bebop minor contains F, G, A♭, A, B♭, C, D, and E♭. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F bebop minor scale on ukulele?
F bebop minor 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, 1, 2, 3 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F bebop minor 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, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F bebop minor 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, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F bebop minor 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 10 and the A 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, 9, 10 | G, A♭, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F bebop minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 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) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, A♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
F bebop minor adds the major 3rd A to F dorian, which supplies F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭. The added A sits between the minor 3rd A♭ and perfect 4th B♭. The internal interval A♭ to D is a diminished 5th, giving the scale a tritone. Compare with F dorian to hear the passing tone.
When to use it
F bebop minor fits F minor and F major chords, where the added A passes between A♭ and B♭. Use it over F minor or F major in bebop and hard-bop lines. The scale also works over B♭ major and C minor progressions in A♭ major.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first; its root at string 3, fret 5 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 1, fret 8.
Common questions
What notes are in F bebop minor?
F bebop minor contains F, G, A♭, A, B♭, C, D, and E♭. The added A is the major 3rd passing tone. The scale has eight notes, one more than a seven-note dorian scale.
Which chords fit F bebop minor?
F bebop minor fits F minor and F major chords. The added A passes between A♭ and B♭ over either chord. Use it with F minor or F major.
Does F bebop minor have a tritone?
F bebop minor has a tritone between A♭ and D. That interval is a diminished 5th. The scale contains one tritone.