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 6 and string 2, fret 2.
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 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, 2, 3, 4 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F♯ bebop minor 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, 6 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5, 6 | G♯, A, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ bebop minor 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♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8, 9 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ bebop minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 10, 11 | G♯, A, A♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
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 6 keeps the hand low and sets up the Box 2 shift to string 1, fret 9.
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. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.