Eb 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
Eb 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

1Ebroot
2Fmajor 2nd
3Gmajor 3rd
4Abperfect 4th
5Bbperfect 5th
#5Baug 5th
6Cmajor 6th
7Dmajor 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
Eb
W
F
W
G
H
Ab
W
Bb
H
B
H
C
W
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 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#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