The bebop Dorian scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The bebop Dorian scale has 8 notes: 1 2 ♭3 3 4 5 6 ♭7. In A, that gives A, B, C, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G. Dorian plus the major third as a passing note: a bebop scale for m7 chords.

Also called: Dorian bebop.

Formula and notes

1 2 ♭3 3 4 5 6 ♭7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – half step – half step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step. In A:

One position on the neck

The bebop Dorian scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--5--6--7-|
D|-4--5--7-|
A|-4--5--7-|
E|-5--7--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the bebop Dorian scale

Dorian + major 3rd. 8 notes. The major 3rd is chromatic, like in blues.

You mostly hear it in jazz and bebop.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the bebop Dorian scale fits Am7 and Am6. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the bebop Dorian scale by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The bebop dominant scale: 7 instead of ♭3.
• The bebop minor scale: ♭6 instead of 3.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions