D# Bebop Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
D# Bebop Minor in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The D# Bebop Minor scale is a specialized eight-note scale for minor-key jazz. On Guitar, it contains the notes D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C, C#. It adds a chromatic note to the Dorian mode to maintain rhythmic drive and harmonic clarity during fast improvisations over minor seventh chords. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Hard Bop. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon. Use over m7 chords in jazz. The chromatic addition keeps the phrasing rhythmically clean during fast improvisation.
Notes: D#, F, F#, G, G#, A#, C, C#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 b8
Formula: W-H-H-H-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 8
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
Adds a chromatic note to Dorian, maintaining the rhythmic alignment of chord tones on strong beats in minor-key bebop contexts.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- D# Bebop Minor in Standard Tuning
- D# Bebop Minor in Drop D
- D# Bebop Minor in DADGAD
- D# Bebop Minor in Open G
- D# Bebop Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- D# Bebop Minor in 7-string
- D# Bebop Minor in 8-string
- D# Bebop Minor in Drop C
- D# Bebop Minor in Drop B
- D# Bebop Minor in Open D
- D# Bebop Minor in Half Step Down
- D# Bebop Minor in Open E
- D# Bebop Minor in Open A
- D# Bebop Minor in Double Drop D