F 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
F 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

1Froot
2Gmajor 2nd
b3Abminor 3rd
3Amajor 3rd
4Bbperfect 4th
5Cperfect 5th
6Dmajor 6th
b7Ebminor 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
F
W
G
H
Ab
H
A
H
Bb
W
C
W
D
H
Eb

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IFpoint of resttonic
IIIAdefines modal qualitythird
VCsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIAA
IVBbBb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IFF
IIGG
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how F 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmFmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
1 flat (Bb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions