B Bebop dominant
Mixolydian with a passing major 7th; the eighth note aligns chord tones with strong beats.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- B Bebop dominant
- Family
- Exotic scales
- Note count
- 8
- Step formula
- W – W – H – W – W – H – H – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-2-1-2-2-1-1-1
Notes & degrees
1Broot
2C#major 2nd
3D#major 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
b7Aminor 7th
7A#major 7th
Construction
- Overview
- Mixolydian with a passing major 7th; the eighth note aligns chord tones with strong beats.
- Application in music
- In continuous eighth notes beginning on a chord tone, the added note helps place V7 chord tones on strong beats.
- Interval formula
- BWC#WD#HEWF#WG#HAHA#
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBpoint of resttonic
IIID#defines modal qualitythird
VF#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIA#A#
IBB
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIID#D#
IVEE
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IBB
IIC#C#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how B Bebop dominant looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.