B Minor Bebop Guitar Scale

B Minor Bebop in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals

The B Minor Bebop scale is a variation used to navigate melodic minor harmonies in a jazz context. On Guitar, it contains the notes B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, A#. The added chromatic passing tone allows for sophisticated phrasing and ensures that the tension and resolution points are perfectly timed with the rhythm. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Contemporary. Notable players include Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield. Use over mMaj7, m6 chords. Connects melodic minor theory with bebop rhythm for advanced jazz improvisation.

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, A#

Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m, 7M

Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8

Formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-H-H

Number of notes: 8

Tuning: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)

About Double Drop D Tuning

Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.

Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.

Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young

Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings

Musical Character

Designed for melodic minor harmony — the chromatic passing tone allows sophisticated phrasing over mMaj7 and altered dominant chords.

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

• B Minor Bebop in Standard Tuning
• B Minor Bebop in Drop D
• B Minor Bebop in DADGAD
• B Minor Bebop in Open G
• B Minor Bebop in Baritone (B Standard)
• B Minor Bebop in 7-string
• B Minor Bebop in 8-string
• B Minor Bebop in Drop C
• B Minor Bebop in Drop B
• B Minor Bebop in Open D
• B Minor Bebop in Half Step Down
• B Minor Bebop in Open E
• B Minor Bebop in Open A
• B Minor Bebop in Open C

← All Guitar scales in Double Drop D tuning