C Bebop minor

Dorian with a passing major 3rd; eight notes organise minor bebop lines around strong beats.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
C Bebop minor
Family
Exotic scales
Note count
8
Step formula
W – H – H – H – W – W – H – W
Numeric formula
0-2-1-1-1-2-2-1-2

Notes & degrees

1Croot
2Dmajor 2nd
b3Ebminor 3rd
3Emajor 3rd
4Fperfect 4th
5Gperfect 5th
6Amajor 6th
b7Bbminor 7th

Construction

Overview
Dorian with a passing major 3rd; eight notes organise minor bebop lines around strong beats.
Application in music
In continuous eighth notes, the passing major 3rd evens the alternation of chord and non-chord tones over i7.
Interval formula
C
W
D
H
Eb
H
E
H
F
W
G
W
A
H
Bb

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

ICpoint of resttonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
VGsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIEE
IVFF
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
ICC
IIDD
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how C Bebop minor looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmCNonemajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
None

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions