E Bebop Major Guitar Scale

E Bebop Major in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals

The E Bebop Major scale is a classic swing tool that introduces a chromatic link between the fifth and sixth degrees. On Guitar, its notes are E, F#, G#, A, B, C, C#, D#. It is essential for creating the flowing, endless melodic lines characteristic of the traditional bebop era. Commonly used in Jazz, Swing, Bebop. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell. Use over Maj7, Maj6 chords. Essential for the smooth, flowing lines of traditional swing and bebop over major harmony.

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

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

Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 #6 7 8

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

Adds a chromatic link between the 5th and 6th degrees of the major scale, creating the flowing, endless melodic lines that define the swing era.

Chord Progressions Using This Scale

• I – vi – IV – V (50s Doo-Wop)Pop / Rock — Nostalgia

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

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

← All Guitar scales in Double Drop D tuning