A Bebop major Scale
A Bebop major contains 8 notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F, F♯, G♯. It has 3 sharps: C♯, F♯, G♯. The step pattern is W–W–H–W–H–H–W–H.
The bebop major scale adds a #5 passing tone to the major scale. It allows improvisers to construct continuous, flowing lines over major 7th chords without losing melodic momentum.
The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, #5, 6, 7. The chromatic insertion between the 5th and 6th keeps chord tones (R, 3, 5, 7) on downbeats when playing running eighth notes. The #5 acts as a brief chromatic color that resolves immediately to the 6th. It is important to resolve the passing note properly so the listener does not hear unresolved tension over a stable Imaj7 chord.
Practice one-octave and two-octave fingerings combined with major 7th arpeggios. Combine the major bebop scale with dominant and minor bebop scales to navigate full ii-V-I progressions seamlessly across the neck.
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