Scale
D Bebop Dominant Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
D · E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · C♯
Root: D
Intervals
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 · 7
How it is built
This scale starts on D and applies the intervals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7, 7. The result contains 8 distinct pitch classes per octave.
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Guide and musical context
About D Bebop Dominant Scale
D Bebop Dominant Scale uses the notes D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C, C♯. Its character is fluid for jazz lines because of its eight-note structure.
Character and sound
Fluid for jazz lines because of its eight-note structure.
Musical context and history
Bebop dominant adds a chromatic passing tone to Mixolydian. In jazz pedagogy, bebop scales help align chord tones with strong beats in continuous eighth-note lines.
How and where it is used
Use it over dominant chords and jazz progressions to build continuous chromatic lines.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on D. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 · 7 and, from D, produces the notes D · E · F♯ · G · A · B · C · C♯.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D Bebop Dominant Scale?
The notes are D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C, C♯.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 · 7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Fluid for jazz lines because of its eight-note structure. Use it over dominant chords and jazz progressions to build continuous chromatic lines.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.