A bebop minor scale diatonic chords
A bebop minor scale seventh chords
scale
Fretboard diagram
A bebop minor scale — chords and intervals
Harmonizing the A bebop minor scale generates a minor chord family with a chromatic passing chord that maintains rhythmic drive through minor-key changes. The chords of A bebop minor are A unknown, C# minor seventh, D unknown, C# diminished, D major, E minor, F# diminished, G unknown. These chords enable fluid comping over minor seventh passages in jazz. The chromatic chord ensures that the root and fifth always land on downbeats, preserving harmonic clarity during fast tempos. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Hard Bop. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon.
The A bebop minor scale has the following degrees: 1 2 ♭3 3 4 5 6 ♭7.
Intervals: W-H-H-H-W-W-H-W.
Diatonic chords: A unknown, C# minor seventh, D unknown, C# diminished, D major, E minor, F# diminished, G unknown.
| Degrees | Chord |
|---|---|
| I | A unknown |
| ii | C# minor seventh |
| iii | D unknown |
| IV | C# diminished |
| V | D major |
| vi | E minor |
| vii° | F# diminished |
| 8 | G unknown |
Degree-by-Degree Analysis
The I chord (A unknown) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (C# minor seventh) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (D unknown) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (C# diminished) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (D major) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (E minor) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (F# diminished) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.
This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the A bebop minor scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.
Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the A bebop minor scale on guitar.
bebop minor is the Dorian with added chromatic passing tone. View A Dorian scale
Related Scales
How to Use This Scale
Use over m7 chords in jazz. The chromatic addition keeps the phrasing rhythmically clean during fast improvisation.