Heptatonic scale are considered subsets of a twelve-pitch scale roughly analogous to the Western chromatic scale. The first and fifth melakarta tones, corresponding to the first and eighth chromatic tones, are invariable in inflection, and the fourth melakarta tone, corresponding to the sixth or seventh chromatic tone, is allowed one of two inflections only, a natural ("shuddah") position and a raised ("tivra") position. The second and third melakarta tones can be picked from the 4 chromatic tones (second through fifth), and similarly for the sixth and seventh. Thus the number of possible forms is equal to twice the square of the number
Bebop scale generally used by guitar players for its accessibility when applied to traditional minor scale shapes (that is, it is simply easier for guitarists to play). However, many players and resources adhere to the traditional spelling of the scale. The bebop major scale is derived from the Ionian mode (major scale) and has a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th notes. \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f \relative c' { </score> This scale is often used over major sixth chords and major seventh chords. The bebop melodic minor scale is derived from the ascending form of the melodic minor scale