Major Bebop Scales on Piano

The major bebop scale adds a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th degrees of the major scale, creating an eight-note scale that lines up chord tones on the strong beats when played in eighth notes. This rhythmic alignment is the entire point of bebop scales — they let jazz improvisers run continuous eighth-note lines while keeping the harmony clear.

Formula: W–W–H–W–H–H–W–H

Intervals: P1–M2–M3–P4–P5–A5–M6–M7–P8

Scale degrees: 1–2–3–4–5–♯5–6–7

Sound: Bright, flowing, bebop, rhythmically aligned

Also known as: Bebop major, major scale with chromatic passing tone

Why add an extra note? A seven-note scale played in eighth notes alternates chord tones between strong and weak beats every measure. Adding the chromatic passing tone creates eight notes per octave — an even number that keeps root, third, fifth, and seventh landing on downbeats. This is the engineering behind bebop's flowing, harmonically clear lines.