E Bebop Guitar Scale

E Bebop Scale — Notes and Intervals

The E Bebop scale is the dominant bebop scale, an eight-note extension of the Mixolydian mode. On Guitar, the notes are E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, D#. By adding a chromatic passing tone, it ensures that the most important notes land on the strong beats, allowing jazz players to create fluid, professional-sounding lines. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Swing, Hard Bop. Notable players include Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, George Benson. Use over dominant 7th chords. The added passing tone ensures that the root, 3rd, 5th, and b7 fall on downbeats during eighth-note runs — the 'trick' that makes bebop sound professional.

Notes: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, D#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8

Formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-H-H

Number of notes: 8

Musical Character

Adds a chromatic passing tone (natural 7) to Mixolydian, creating an 8-note scale where chord tones always land on strong beats. This is the secret to authentic bebop phrasing.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Jazz, Bebop, Swing, Hard Bop

Notable players: Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, George Benson

How to Use the E Bebop Scale

Use over dominant 7th chords. The added passing tone ensures that the root, 3rd, 5th, and b7 fall on downbeats during eighth-note runs — the 'trick' that makes bebop sound professional.

Origin & Background

Codified during the bebop revolution of the 1940s by Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. The chromatic addition solves the rhythmic displacement problem of 7-note scales in 4/4 time.

How to Play E Bebop on Guitar

Start the E Bebop scale in open position, taking advantage of the open E string. 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 E Bebop scale contains 4 sharps (F#, G#, C#, D#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.

Practice Routine

Practice the E Bebop scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 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 E to let the characteristic intervals of the Bebop scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in hard bop contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the E Bebop scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs. Aim for a swinging quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

Bebop is the Mixolydian with added chromatic passing tone (natural 7th). View E Mixolydian scale

• E Mixolydian
• E Bebop major
• E Bebop minor
• E Half-whole diminished

The E Bebop scale contains 8 notes (E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Bebop

The E Bebop 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 E Bebop Further

• Harmonize the E Bebop scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• E Bebop on Ukulele
• E Bebop on Bass
• E Bebop on Piano

Explore E Bebop in Other Tunings

• E Bebop in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Bebop in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• E Bebop in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• E Bebop in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• E Bebop in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• E Bebop in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• E Bebop in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• E Bebop in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• E Bebop in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• E Bebop in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• E Bebop in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• E Bebop in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• E Bebop in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Bebop in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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