E Bebop Charango Scale — Standard
Charango scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
E Bebop in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The E Bebop scale is the dominant bebop scale, an eight-note extension of the Mixolydian mode. On Charango, 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
Tuning: Standard (G-C-E-A-E)
About Standard Tuning
The charango is a small Andean string instrument with five courses of doubled strings, tuned G-C-E-A-E. Its reentrant tuning — with the 4th course (A) lower than the outer courses — combined with its tiny body and nylon strings produces a distinctive bright, shimmering tone that evokes the high-altitude landscapes of the Andes.
Originally crafted from armadillo shells in Bolivia and Peru, the modern charango is the soul of Andean folk music. Its ten strings (five doubled courses) create a natural chorus effect, and the reentrant tuning produces a compact voicing range where strummed chords have an almost harp-like quality. Groups like Los Kjarkas and Inti-Illimani brought the charango to international audiences, while virtuosos like Jaime Torres and Ernesto Cavour pushed its technical boundaries. The charango is essential in huayño, bailecito, and carnavalito rhythms.
Notable artists: Los Kjarkas, Jaime Torres, Ernesto Cavour, Inti-Illimani, Gustavo Santaolalla
Best for: Andean folk music, South American ensemble playing, and any composition seeking a bright, shimmering Andean texture