Bebop Major Piano Chords

The bebop major scale is an eight-note scale created by adding a chromatic passing tone (raised fifth or flattened sixth) to the major scale. It follows the interval pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, half, half, whole, half (W-W-H-W-H-H-W-H), or 2-2-1-2-1-1-2-1 in semitones. Like other bebop scales, this added note allows chord tones to land on downbeats when playing eighth notes in swing time, a fundamental technique in bebop improvisation. The bebop major scale is used over major and major seventh chords in jazz contexts, providing smooth melodic lines with proper rhythmic emphasis. It's an essential tool for jazz improvisers working with major tonalities in bebop, hard bop, and modern jazz styles.