G# 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
G# 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

1G#root
2A#major 2nd
3B#major 3rd
4C#perfect 4th
5D#perfect 5th
#5Eaug 5th
6E#major 6th
7Gmajor 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
G#
W
A#
W
B#
H
C#
W
D#
H
E
H
E#
W
G

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IG#point of resttonic
IIIB#defines modal qualitythird
VD#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

VIIGG
IG#G#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIB#B#
IVC#C#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IG#G#
IIA#A#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how G# 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmAbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions