Musical Chord
An application for you to study music.
Tools for musicians, exercises on music theory, ear training, and direct-to-the-point theoretical content. Designed for singers, guitarists, keyboard players, bassists, drummers, and general musicians from beginners to advanced levels.
Bebop Scale
The Bebop scale emerged during the 1940s with the development of Bebop, a jazz style characterized by fast tempos, complex harmonies, and virtuosic improvisations. The pioneers of Bebop used the Bebop scale to navigate through rapid and complex chord progressions, adding chromatic notes that provided a sense of continuous and sophisticated movement.
The Bebop scale is distinguished by adding an extra note to a diatonic scale, creating an eight-note sequence instead of the usual seven.
There are several variations of the Bebop scale, each with its own pattern of chromatic notes. Let's explore four main types:
- Traditional Bebop Scale
- Dominant Bebop Scale
- Minor Bebop Scale
- Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale
Major Bebop Scale
The major bebop scale is based on the natural major scale, with the addition of a chromatic note between the fifth and sixth degrees. Here are some examples in various keys:
| Key | Scale Notes |
|---|---|
| C | C, D, E, F, G, Ab, A, B, C |
| D | D, E, F#, G, A, Bb, B, C#, D |
| E | E, F#, G#, A, B, C, C#, D#, E |
| F | F, G, A, Bb, C, Db, D, E, F |
| G | G, A, B, C, D, Eb, E, F#, G |
| A | A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#, A |
| B | B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, G#, A#, B |
Dominant Bebop Scale
The dominant bebop scale is built from the Mixolydian mode, which is a major scale with a minor seventh. A chromatic note is added between the minor seventh and the tonic. Here are some examples in various keys:
| Key | Scale Notes |
|---|---|
| C | C, B, Bb, A, G, F, E, D |
| D | D, C#, C, B, A, G, F#, E |
| E | E, D#, D, C#, B, A, G#, F# |
| F | F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb, A, G |
| G | G, F#, F, E, D, C, B, A |
| A | A, G#, G, F#, E, D, C#, B |
| B | B, A#, A, G#, F#, E, D#, C# |
Minor Bebop Scale
The minor bebop scale also adds a chromatic note between the fifth and sixth degrees. The seventh can be major or minor, depending on the musical context. Here are some examples in various keys:
| Key | Scale Notes |
|---|---|
| C | C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, A, Bb, C |
| D | D, E, F, G, A, Bb, B, C, D |
| E | E, F#, G, A, B, C, C#, D, E |
| F | F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, D, Eb, F |
| G | G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, E, F, G |
| A | A, B, C, D, E, F, F#, G, A |
| B | B, C#, D, E, F#, G, G#, A, B |
Phrygian Dominant Bebop Scale
This scale is derived from the Phrygian mode, which has a minor second, minor third, minor sixth, and minor seventh. In the Phrygian dominant bebop scale, the third degree is major, creating an augmented second between the second and third degrees.
| Key | Scale Notes |
|---|---|
| C | C, B, Bb, Ab, G, F, E, Eb |
| D | D, C#, C, Bb, A, G, F#, E |
| E | E, D#, D, C, B, A, G#, F |
| F | F, E, Eb, Db, C, Bb, A, Ab |
| G | G, F#, F, Eb, D, C, B, Bb |
| A | A, G#, G, F, E, D, C#, B |
| B | B, A#, A, G, F#, E, D#, C# |
Practical Application
The Bebop scale is extremely versatile and can be used in various harmonic contexts, especially over dominant and major chords. Its eight-note structure allows musicians to land on target notes on strong beats, ensuring that the improvisation sounds cohesive and rhythmically precise.
Over Dominant Chords
In a G7 chord, for example, the G dominant bebop scale can be used to create melodic lines that emphasize the chord tones (tonic, third, fifth, and minor seventh) while moving chromatically.
Over Major Chords
Over a C7M chord, the C major bebop scale can be used for improvisation.
Conclusion
The Bebop scale is a powerful tool for jazz musicians, offering a way to add sophistication and fluidity to improvisations. With its origins in the innovations of Bebop pioneers, this scale remains a central piece in the vocabulary of modern jazz. Practicing the Bebop scale can help musicians navigate the complex harmonies of jazz with greater ease and expressiveness. Practicing playing bebop scales in a descending manner provides a fluidity and naturalness that aligns with the tradition and technique of jazz music.