E Bebop major

A major scale with a passing raised 5th; eight notes support even eighth-note lines.

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

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

Notes & degrees

1Eroot
2F#major 2nd
3G#major 3rd
4Aperfect 4th
5Bperfect 5th
#5B#aug 5th
6C#major 6th
7D#major 7th

Construction

Overview
A major scale with a passing raised 5th; eight notes support even eighth-note lines.
Application in music
In continuous eighth notes beginning on a chord tone, passing #5 helps place I6 or Imaj7 chord tones on strong beats.
Interval formula
E
W
F#
W
G#
H
A
W
B
H
B#
H
C#
W
D#

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IEpoint of resttonic
IIIG#defines modal qualitythird
VBsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIID#D#
IEE
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIG#G#
IVAA
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IEE
IIF#F#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how E Bebop major 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions