D# 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
D# 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

1D#root
2E#major 2nd
b3F#minor 3rd
3Gmajor 3rd
4G#perfect 4th
5A#perfect 5th
6B#major 6th
b7C#minor 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
D#
W
E#
H
F#
H
G
H
G#
W
A#
W
B#
H
C#

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

ID#point of resttonic
IIIGdefines modal qualitythird
VA#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIGG
IVG#G#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
ID#D#
IIE#E#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how D# 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions