STRINGSCALES

A♭ bebop major Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, Eb, E, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11

D string: Eb, E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, E, F, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12

B string: C, Db, Eb, E, F, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

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Ab bebop major

The bebop major scale inserts a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th of the major scale. With eight notes, scalar eighth-note runs keep the 6th chord tones (root, 3rd, 5th, 6th) on downbeats, the Barry Harris approach to major harmony. It is the sound of polished swing era and bebop lines over major 6th and major 7th chords.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A♭

I

B♭

II

C

III

D♭

IV

E♭

V

E

#V

F

VI

G

VII

Same notes, different mode

Ab bebop major uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C spanish heptatonicF minor bebop

bebop major in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Run Ab bebop major in eighth notes from any chord tone of the major 6th chord (root, III, V, VI); the added #5 (E) passing tone keeps them on downbeats.
  • This is Barry Harris's scale of choice for major harmony: think 6th chord, not maj7, and let VI act as the top of the chord.
  • Use the b6 (E) (the passing tone) only in motion between VI and V; landing on it turns swing into a wrong note.
  • Harmonize the scale in 6th-chord and diminished-chord alternation up the neck for instant chord-melody movement in Ab.

How to play A♭ bebop major on guitar

Fret 1 on the G string puts a root within reach of open position, so the key stays playable down low. Three of the six open strings belong, though the low E lands on the augmented fifth, which means it colours rather than anchors. Deepest root is fret 4, low E. Four flats, and the A shape barres at fret 11.

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