Bebop Scales

What Are Bebop Scales?

Bebop scales are usually played in bebop. Contrary to the heptatonic scales (seven pitches per octave) they contain eight notes (octatonic scales) including chromaticisms (chromatic passing tones).

They are derived for the most of them from modes of the major scale but also from the harmonic minor and melodic minor scales.

Notice that there isn’t just one Bebop Scale, but a lot of them. What we call «BeBop Scales» is a concept and not a particular scale.

The principle of bebop concept is to insert an extra note (passing tone), into an existing scale/mode as major, dominant, Dorian, etc, thus giving a lot of possibilities.

The bebop scales presented in this website represent the most popular, don't hesitate to built your own.

Bebop Scales From The Diatonic Major Scale :

The Major Bebop Scale :

The interval formula is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - #5 - 6 - 7. This is the major scale including a passing tone (#5) between the fifth and the sixth.

The Dorian Bebop Scale :

The formula is 1 - 2 - b3 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7. Compared to the Dorian mode this scale has an additional note, a major third, between the minor third (b3) and the fourth (4).

Notice that there is a second version of the Dorian bebop scale with a major 7 between the b7 and the tonic (1).

The Dominant Bebop Scale :

The formula is 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7 - 7. This is the Mixolydian mode including a major seventh.

The Locrian Bebop Scale :

The formula is 1 - b2 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b6 - b7. It has an additional fifth between the flat fifth (b5) and the minor sixth (b6).

The Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale :

The interval formula is 1 - b2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 7. This scale is also referred to as Altered Bebop and is derived from the fifth mode of the harmonic scale, the Phrygian dominant mode.

The Dorian Melodic Bebop Scale :

The interval formula is 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - b7 - 7. This is a variation of the Dorian mode, often used in jazz improvisation. This scale incorporates a chromatic passing tone between the b7 and the tonic (1)

Other Bebop Scales

The Harmonic Minor Bebop Scale :

Formula is : 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 7 . This scale has a chromatic passing tone (b7) between the minor sixth (b6) and the major seventh (7).

The Double Dorian Bebop Scale :

The double Dorian bebop scale is actually the dorian mode with a passing tone (b2) between the tonic (1) and the major second (2).

The Melodic Minor Bebop Scale :

The formula is : 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - #5 - 6 - 7. The melodic minor bebop scale is derived from the ascending form of the melodic minor scale. It has a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th notes.

The Dorian Bebop Scale | Lesson with Guitar Neck Diagrams and Patterns

Check out this jazz lesson with guitar fretboard diagrams, scale charts, theory and patterns to understand and play the Dorian bebop scale also known as minor bebop scale.

The Dominant Bebop Scale | Guitar Fretboard Diagrams, Interval Patterns and Licks

You will find in this guitar lesson some patterns, neck diagrams, jazz lines and formula charts to master the dominant bebop scale.

The Major Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Theory

The major bebop scale is an eight note scale. Check out this jazz guitar lesson with scale charts, guitar diagrams and jazz lines for a better understanding of this useful scale.

The Locrian Bebop Scale | Guitar Diagrams and Patterns

You will find in this jazz guitar lesson some guitar fretboard diagrams and formula charts about the Locrian bebop scale.

The Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale - Guitar Diagrams, Theory, Jazz Concepts, Exercises and Lines

Jazz guitar lesson with tab, diagrams, audio files, interval patterns, concepts and exercises about the Phrygian dominant bebop scale. How to use it over common jazz progressions found in jazz.

The Harmonic Minor Bebop Scale - Guitar Shapes, Charts and Theory

This lesson with guitar shapes and charts will help you figure out the harmonic minor bebop scale.

Melodic Minor Bebop Scale - Guitar Diagrams and Formula Charts

This guitar lesson with shapes and charts provides useful information about the melodic minor bebop scale.

Dorian Melodic Bebop Scale For Guitar

This lesson provides guitar shapes and formula charts to play the Dorian melodic bebop scale on guitar.

Double Dorian Bebop Scale For Guitar - Charts and Shapes

This lesson provides shapes and charts to learn the double Dorian bebop scale on guitar.