BeBop Scales

Hello Marc,

Some thoughts and question(s) regarding BeBop Scales: lately I’ve been revisiting them and have observed a thing or two:

Take the Dorian BeBop; it is common practice to add a note (M3) between the m3rd and fourth scale steps.

D Dorian BeBop: D-E-F-F#-G-A-B-C-D.

I can’t help noticing that when using (ascending) eighth notes we get the fourth degree, G, a tension/extension, on the downbeat of three. But when I place an added half step between the 6th and 7th, it gives me all the chord tones on the strong down beats (using eighth notes), and the tensions/extensions on the weaker upbeats, thus lining up nicely - descending as well as ascending.

Starting on the root of D dorian:

one D=root & E=9th (tension
two F=3rd, & G=4th (tension
three A=5th, & B=6th (tension
four C=7th, & C# added passing tone (tension

Next measure:
one D= root, & etc.

I know some jazzers don’t make much to do about the bebop scales in that they are scales with an added note used to even out the placement of SCALE tones, etc. but in regard to CHORD TONES placement on strong beats, the accepted practice urges one to adjust the placement of the passing added note as necessary in regard to strong metrical note placement.

Am I off the mark? Or am I mixing apples and oranges? Your insight is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

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Hello,

Great question.

The short answer : the passing tone F-F#-G would obviously outline more of a G7 mixolydian sound as we get the notes G-B-D-F on the downbeats (but not in that order).

As you were stating, the passing tone C-C#-D really outlines the Dm7 chord with D-F-A-C notes.

You are not "off the mark" or mixing apples and oranges at all. I think you are simply understanding the process very well.

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That being said, I would highly encourage you to learn, use, hear, understand and analyze this crucial concept :

The major scale with ANY added passing tone can work on all of it's modes.

Think about it : the major scale has 7 notes, so we are left with only 5 possible "passing notes" because the whole musical universe has 12 distinct pitches.


Shown ascending here, using sharps :

C Major = C D E F G A B, so...

C *C#* D E F G A B
C D *D#* E F G A B
C D E F *F#* G A B
C D E F G *G#* A B
C D E F G A *A#* B

Now, provided that the "outside" notes fall on an upbeat, you can use any of those five possible bebop scales on a single C major chord!

... and any of the natural notes can be placed on "beat one" ...

... and you can figure this out with any/all of the seven diatonic chords in C major...

That's a lot of options! I once wrote out all the possibilities in 4/4, I think it went 25 pages long... (-:

Of course, some of the possible scales will outline *just* tension notes. Some examples of rather "out" choices for a C major chord :

(Downbeats in bold)

F *F#* G A B C D E
B C D E F G A *A#*
C *C#* D E F G A B

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My final recommendation is to try : write down, play and listen for the options that make more sense to you. Apply in the right contexts. It has to come from the ears!


To conclude, it's futile to associate a certain "bebop scale" with strictly one chord. It's clear that it *could work* for at least 7 chords. One of the possible uses will surely outline a certain chord best, but the other options are still "viable" as we say in french.

You can get to a point were you can use bebop scales to outline a mixture of chord tones, extensions and blend them with beautiful resolutions.

I hope this helps,
Investigate and Practice Well,

Marc-A

PS

If you really want to mess around, start looking at melodic minor modes and their passing tones.

(-;