The C Minor Bebop scale contains eight notes: C, D, E♭, E, F, G, A, and B♭. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern W-H-H-H-W-W-H-W.
C Minor Bebop Scale Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | C | P1 |
| 2 | Major 2nd | D | M2 |
| ♭3 | Minor 3rd | E♭ | m3 |
| 3 | Major 3rd | E | M3 |
| 4 | Perfect 4th | F | P4 |
| 5 | Perfect 5th | G | P5 |
| 6 | Major 6th | A | M6 |
| ♭7 | Minor 7th | B♭ | m7 |
| 8 | Octave | C | P8 |
Key Signature
The C 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
E♭B♭
C Minor Bebop Scale — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the notes of the C Minor Bebop Scale on piano?
The C Minor Bebop Scale uses the notes C – D – E♭ – E – F – G – A – B♭ – C. Play them in order from the root up to the octave, hands separately first, then together.
What notes are in the C Minor Bebop Scale?
The C Minor Bebop Scale contains eight notes: C – D – Eb – E – F – G – A – Bb. The notes table above shows each note with its scale degree and interval from the root.
How many sharps or flats does C Minor Bebop have?
The C Minor Bebop Scale shares the key signature of its relative major, Eb Major — 3 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭. The remaining alterations are written as accidentals: E♮, A♮.
What is the relative major of C Minor Bebop?
The relative major of C Minor Bebop is Eb 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 C Minor Bebop?
The seven diatonic chords in the key of C Minor Bebop are: i – C Minor, ii° – D Diminished, III – D# Major, iv – F Minor, v – G Minor, VI – G# Major, VII – A# Major. A classic progression in C Minor Bebop is i – VI – iv – v (C Minor → G# Major → F Minor → G Minor).
What is the parallel major of C Minor Bebop?
The parallel major of C Minor Bebop is C 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 C Minor Bebop Scale sound like?
The C 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.