E 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
E 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

1Eroot
2F#major 2nd
b3Gminor 3rd
3G#major 3rd
4Aperfect 4th
5Bperfect 5th
6C#major 6th
b7Dminor 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
E
W
F#
H
G
H
G#
H
A
W
B
W
C#
H
D

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

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

Typical resolutions & tensions

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 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#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