Gb 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
Gb 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

1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
4Cbperfect 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 6th
b7Fbminor 7th
7Fmajor 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
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb
W
Db
W
Eb
H
Fb
H
F

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGbpoint of resttonic
IIIBbdefines modal qualitythird
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIFF
IGbGb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIBbBb
IVCbCb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IGbGb
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Gb Bebop dominant looks on guitar.

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Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions