The A Minor Bebop scale contains eight notes: A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern W-H-H-H-W-W-H-W.
A Minor Bebop Scale Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | A | P1 |
| 2 | Major 2nd | B | M2 |
| ♭3 | Minor 3rd | C | m3 |
| 3 | Major 3rd | C♯ | M3 |
| 4 | Perfect 4th | D | P4 |
| 5 | Perfect 5th | E | P5 |
| 6 | Major 6th | F♯ | M6 |
| ♭7 | Minor 7th | G | m7 |
| 8 | Octave | A | P8 |
Key Signature
The A Minor Bebop Scale doesn’t line up with a single major or minor key, so it has no standard key signature. Its notes are written with accidentals as needed.
Accidentals
C♯F♯
A Minor Bebop Scale — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the notes of the A Minor Bebop Scale on piano?
The A Minor Bebop Scale uses the notes A – B – C – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A. Play them in order from the root up to the octave, hands separately first, then together.
What notes are in the A Minor Bebop Scale?
The A Minor Bebop Scale contains eight notes: A – B – C – C# – D – E – F# – G. The notes table above shows each note with its scale degree and interval from the root.
How many sharps or flats does A Minor Bebop have?
The A Minor Bebop Scale shares the key signature of its relative major, C Major — no sharps or flats. The remaining alterations are written as accidentals: C♯, F♯.
What is the relative major of A Minor Bebop?
The relative major of A Minor Bebop is C Major. Both scales share the same key signature and the same seven notes — the difference is which note feels like "home." Switching between a minor key and its relative major is one of the most common ways composers shift mood without changing the underlying notes.
What chords are in the key of A Minor Bebop?
The seven diatonic chords in the key of A Minor Bebop are: i – A Minor, ii° – B Diminished, III – C Major, iv – D Minor, v – E Minor, VI – F Major, VII – G Major. A classic progression in A Minor Bebop is i – VI – iv – v (A Minor → F Major → D Minor → E Minor).
What is the parallel major of A Minor Bebop?
The parallel major of A Minor Bebop is A Major. "Parallel" means same root note, opposite mode — the two scales differ by three notes (the third, sixth, and seventh are lowered in minor). Borrowing chords from the parallel key is a popular way to add color to a progression.
What does the A Minor Bebop Scale sound like?
The A Minor Bebop Scale has a distinctive sound shaped by its specific interval pattern. Listen to the audio playback above to hear the character on every note.