Minor Bebop Scales on Piano
The minor bebop scale adds a chromatic passing tone between the ♭7 and root of the Dorian mode, creating an eight-note scale optimized for improvising over minor 7th chords. Like all bebop scales, the extra note ensures that chord tones (root, ♭3, 5th, ♭7th) land on strong beats during continuous eighth-note lines.
Formula: W–H–W–W–W–H–H–H
Intervals: P1–M2–m3–P4–P5–M6–m7–M7–P8
Scale degrees: 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–♭7–7
Sound: Minor, flowing, bebop, sophisticated
Also known as: Bebop Dorian, Dorian bebop scale
Dorian is the base: The minor bebop scale is built on Dorian (not natural minor) because Dorian is the standard minor scale in jazz — it has the natural 6th that works cleanly over ii–V–I progressions. The added major 7th between ♭7 and the octave is the chromatic connector that aligns chord tones with strong beats.
Minor Bebop Scale in All 18 Keys
Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.
C Minor Bebop Scale
C# Minor Bebop Scale
Db Minor Bebop Scale
D Minor Bebop Scale
D# Minor Bebop Scale
Eb Minor Bebop Scale
E Minor Bebop Scale
F Minor Bebop Scale
F# Minor Bebop Scale
Gb Minor Bebop Scale
G Minor Bebop Scale
G# Minor Bebop Scale
Ab Minor Bebop Scale
A Minor Bebop Scale
A# Minor Bebop Scale
Bb Minor Bebop Scale
B Minor Bebop Scale
Cb Minor Bebop Scale
Want the full theory?
Intervals, construction formulas, practice strategies, and how this scale connects to others.