Eb Bebop dominant

Mixolydian with a passing major 7th; the eighth note aligns chord tones with strong beats.

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

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

Notes & degrees

1Ebroot
2Fmajor 2nd
3Gmajor 3rd
4Abperfect 4th
5Bbperfect 5th
6Cmajor 6th
b7Dbminor 7th
7Dmajor 7th

Construction

Overview
Mixolydian with a passing major 7th; the eighth note aligns chord tones with strong beats.
Application in music
In continuous eighth notes beginning on a chord tone, the added note helps place V7 chord tones on strong beats.
Interval formula
Eb
W
F
W
G
H
Ab
W
Bb
W
C
H
Db
H
D

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IEbpoint of resttonic
IIIGdefines modal qualitythird
VBbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIDD
IEbEb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIGG
IVAbAb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IEbEb
IIFF
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Eb Bebop dominant 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