Chord & FretBebop major (C)
This is the major scale with one extra note squeezed between the 5th and the 6th — the formula on this page spells that added step as #5, which is the same sound many method books write as b6, just notated differently. With eight notes it takes on a rhythmic purpose: playing in eighth notes — in other words, fast, back-to-back notes — the tones of the major chord always fall on the strong beats. In jazz it's the classic partner for major and major-sixth chords, giving phrases that rolling, even bebop feel.
Example: C – D – E – F – G – G# – A – BFormula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – #5 – 6 – 7In the formula, the numbers are degrees — positions counted in the reference major scale; "b" lowers a half step and "#" raises one.
Family: Bebop scales.
They add one chromatic note to a seven-note scale to make eight. The function is rhythmic: aligning chord tones with strong beats in continuous eighth-note lines. The naming varies between schools — these are pedagogical conventions, not families as stable as major, harmonic minor or melodic minor.
The same scale on all four instruments
In the diagrams, each dot carries its scale degree — 1 is the tonic, highlighted.
Each instrument above shows one box of bebop major — a slice of the whole neck. In Chord & Fret, you press play and watch each note light up on the diagram the instant it sounds; switch the dot labels between degrees, note names and fingers; and choose to start from the tonic or play the full box. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. 100% offline. Open in Chord & Fret →