The Blues scale
The Blues scale is built from the Minor Pentatonic scale with one added note - the flatted 5
th
, or
blue note. The b5 note adds color and tension. The blues scale is not solely utilized in blues
music, but in many musical genres including rock, country, jazz, pop, metal, and punk. When
playing Minor Pentatonic Scales you can almost always add that b5 and play the Blues Scale.
By adding the b5 note we get a six-note scale: 1,b3
rd
, 4
th
,b5th,5th, and b7th. Below left is the
basic box shape for the Minor Pentatonic Scale. Below that is the Blues Scale. They only differ
by one note - the b5th illustrated in blue. Below to the right is the Expanded I Blues scale.
Students often think of scales in box patterns: they stay in one box, then stop, move to the next
box, and so on. This can have a fragmented sound. Students benefit by learning to play
ACROSS the neck laterally. The ultimate goal is to see the entire neck as one big inter-
connected scale. Then to change key, just move the whole chunk back and forth as one group.
The expanded scales pull you out of the traditional boxes that can have a boxy sound.
Utilize consistent fingering and practice these scales in all keys. Learn the scales up and down
the neck. Then apply them by practicing over the jam tracks. Make strong solo statements by
emphasizing strong chord tones.
1 1 1431(^4 4)
3 3
1 1
Basic Box Minor Pentatonic Scale
Blues Scale
1 1 1
4
3
1
(^4 4)
3 3
1 1
2
4
= root note = blue note (b5)
3
1 1
3
3
1 1 1
1 1
2
3 3
3
Expanded I Blues Scale
2
1
4
When ascending the scale at the G-string pivot with
your 1st finger, playing 1,3 then 1,2. Then descend
using a 3,2,1,1 finger combination on the G string