Db 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
Db 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

1Dbroot
2Ebmajor 2nd
b3Fbminor 3rd
3Fmajor 3rd
4Gbperfect 4th
5Abperfect 5th
6Bbmajor 6th
b7Cbminor 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
Db
W
Eb
H
Fb
H
F
H
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDbpoint of resttonic
IIIFdefines modal qualitythird
VAbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIFF
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 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.

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions