A Bebop Major Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A Bebop Major Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Bebop Major scale is a classic swing tool that introduces a chromatic link between the fifth and sixth degrees. On Guitar, its notes are A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#. It is essential for creating the flowing, endless melodic lines characteristic of the traditional bebop era. Commonly used in Jazz, Swing, Bebop. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell. Use over Maj7, Maj6 chords. Essential for the smooth, flowing lines of traditional swing and bebop over major harmony.
Notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 5A, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 #6 7 8
Formula: W-W-H-W-H-H-W-H
Number of notes: 8
How to Play A Bebop Major on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 5 on the 6th (low E) to find your A root note. Because this scale has 8 notes, four-notes-per-string stretches may be necessary. Start with a single position and expand gradually. Keep your thumb centered behind the neck for reach.
The A Bebop Major scale contains 3 sharps (C#, F#, G#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A Bebop Major scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Bebop Major scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the A Bebop Major scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The A Bebop Major scale contains 8 notes (A, B, C#, D, E, F, F#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Bebop Major
The A Bebop Major scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 8-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A Bebop Major Further
- Harmonize the A Bebop Major scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A Bebop Major on Ukulele
- A Bebop Major on Bass
- A Bebop Major on Piano
Explore A Bebop Major in Other Tunings
- A Bebop Major in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Bebop Major in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A Bebop Major in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A Bebop Major in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A Bebop Major in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A Bebop Major in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A Bebop Major in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A Bebop Major in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A Bebop Major in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A Bebop Major in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A Bebop Major in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A Bebop Major in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A Bebop Major in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A Bebop Major in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)