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

1C#root
2D#major 2nd
b3Eminor 3rd
3E#major 3rd
4F#perfect 4th
5G#perfect 5th
6A#major 6th
b7Bminor 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
E
H
E#
H
F#
W
G#
W
A#
H
B

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IC#point of resttonic
IIIE#defines modal qualitythird
VG#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIE#E#
IVF#F#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IC#C#
IID#D#
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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions