Db Bebop melodic minor

Melodic minor with a passing raised 5th; the eighth note evens out lines over minor chords.

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

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

Notes & degrees

1Dbroot
2Ebmajor 2nd
b3Fbminor 3rd
4Gbperfect 4th
5Abperfect 5th
#5Aaug 5th
6Bbmajor 6th
7Cmajor 7th

Construction

Overview
Melodic minor with a passing raised 5th; the eighth note evens out lines over minor chords.
Application in music
Passing #5 supplies an eighth degree for even bebop lines over minor and minor-major chords.
Interval formula
Db
W
Eb
H
Fb
W
Gb
W
Ab
H
A
H
Bb
W
C

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDbpoint of resttonic
IIIFbdefines modal qualitythird
VAbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIICC
IDbDb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIFbFb
IVGbGb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IDbDb
IIEbEb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Db Bebop melodic 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