Explore scales · Ukulele
F♯ bebop dominant scale on ukulele
F♯ bebop dominant contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, D♯♯, and E♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 6 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 F♯ bebop dominant scale on ukulele?
F♯ bebop dominant in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 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 E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ bebop dominant in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 5, 6 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ 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 C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, D♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8, 9 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ bebop dominant in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 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 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | D♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10, 11 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
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 F♯7 chords.
When to use it
F♯ bebop dominant fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. Use it over F♯7 in B major progressions. The D♯♯ passing tone suits jazz and swing lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 6 and covers frets 1–4, 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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ bebop dominant fit?
F♯ bebop dominant fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over F♯7 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.