E Minor Bebop Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
E Minor Bebop Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Bebop scale is a variation used to navigate melodic minor harmonies in a jazz context. On Guitar, it contains the notes E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, D#. The added chromatic passing tone allows for sophisticated phrasing and ensures that the tension and resolution points are perfectly timed with the rhythm. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary. Notable players include Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield. Use over mMaj7, m6 chords. Connects melodic minor theory with bebop rhythm for advanced jazz improvisation.
Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, D#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-H-H
Number of notes: 8
How to Play E Minor Bebop on Guitar
Start the E Minor 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 Minor Bebop scale contains 2 sharps (F#, D#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Minor Bebop scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on E to let the characteristic intervals of the Minor Bebop scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the E Minor Bebop scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The E Minor 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 Minor Bebop
The E Minor 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 Minor Bebop Further
- Harmonize the E Minor Bebop scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Minor Bebop on Ukulele
- E Minor Bebop on Bass
- E Minor Bebop on Piano
Explore E Minor Bebop in Other Tunings
- E Minor Bebop in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Bebop in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Bebop in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- E Minor Bebop in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Bebop in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- E Minor Bebop in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- E Minor Bebop in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- E Minor Bebop in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- E Minor Bebop in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- E Minor Bebop in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- E Minor Bebop in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- E Minor Bebop in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- E Minor Bebop in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- E Minor Bebop in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)