Gb 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
Gb 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

1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
b3Aminor 3rd
3Bbmajor 3rd
4Cbperfect 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 6th
b7Fbminor 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
Gb
W
Ab
H
A
H
Bb
H
Cb
W
Db
W
Eb
H
Fb

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGbpoint of resttonic
IIIBbdefines modal qualitythird
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

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 minor 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