Bebop Dominant Piano Scales

The bebop dominant scale is an eight-note scale created by adding a major seventh to the Mixolydian mode. It follows the interval pattern: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, half, half (W-W-H-W-W-H-H-H), or 2-2-1-2-2-1-1-1 in semitones. This chromatic passing tone between the minor seventh and root allows chord tones to fall on downbeats when playing eighth notes, a crucial feature for bebop improvisation. The bebop dominant scale is essential for jazz musicians, providing smooth voice leading over dominant seventh chords in bebop, hard bop, and modern jazz. Its even-numbered structure (8 notes) creates natural rhythmic alignment, making it perfect for fast-paced, swinging lines over ii-V-I progressions.