B♭ Bebop Dominant scale
The B♭ Bebop Dominant scale is a 8-note bebop dominant scale built on the root B♭. Its notes are B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭ and A. Mixolydian with an added passing major seventh (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7, 7) — the eight-note bebop scale built to land chord tones on every downbeat. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make B♭ Bebop Dominant a great tool for improvising and composing.
Bebop dominant is the eight-note workhorse of bebop and post-bop jazz. Its added passing seventh keeps chord tones on every downbeat across an eighth-note line — exactly what Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell built their language around. Built on the root B♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
B♭ Bebop Dominant on the piano
B♭ Bebop Dominant on the guitar
B♭ Bebop Dominant on the staff
Hear the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | B♭(Bb) |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | C |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | D |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | E♭(Eb) |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | F |
| 6 | 6M | 9 | G |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | A♭(Ab) |
| 8 | 7M | 11 | A |
How to use the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale
Because B♭ Bebop Dominant has fewer or more than seven notes, it doesn't produce a standard set of seven diatonic triads. Instead, build chords by stacking thirds within the scale or use it as a melodic colour over chords drawn from a related diatonic key.
Bebop dominant is the eight-note workhorse of bebop and post-bop jazz. Its added passing seventh keeps chord tones on every downbeat across an eighth-note line — exactly what Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell built their language around.
Practice tips
Run the bebop dominant scale eighth-notes-per-beat starting from the fifth, the third, and the root over a V7 chord. You'll hear how the added passing seventh always lands chord tones on the downbeat.
Famous songs
B♭ Bebop Dominant appears throughout bebop dominant is the eight-note workhorse of bebop and post-bop jazz. its added passing seventh keeps chord tones on every downbeat across an eighth-note line — exactly what charlie parker, dizzy gillespie and bud powell built their language around. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to B♭ Bebop Dominant
Once you are comfortable with B♭ Bebop Dominant, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with B♭ Bebop Dominant and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The B♭ Bebop Dominant scale follows Mixolydian with an added passing major seventh (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7, 7), the eight-note bebop scale that lands chord tones on every downbeat. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - H - H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale?
What is the formula for the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale?
Is B♭ Bebop Dominant a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale?
Which genres use B♭ Bebop Dominant?
How do I practise the B♭ Bebop Dominant scale?
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