The Blues Scale
The Blues Scale is built on top of the the five note Pentatonic scale with the addition of the ‘blues note’ which provides a distinct blues sound.
- The blues note within the major Blues scale is located between the 2nd and 3rd scale degrees, and is labelled as a ♭3.
- The blues note within the minor Blues scale is located between the 4th and 5th scale degrees, and is labelled as a ♭5.
Open Position
Section titled “Open Position”The examples below illustrate the relative minor of G major is E minor and the relative major of E minor is G major.
Position 5 - G Major Blues Scale
Section titled “Position 5 - G Major Blues Scale”G major blues scale
6
1
3
5
1
2
♭3
5
6
2
♭3
3
6
1
B A T
0
3
0
1
2
0
2
0
2
3
0
3
0
3
Position 1 - E Minor Blues Scale
Section titled “Position 1 - E Minor Blues Scale”E minor blues scale
1
♭3
5
♭7
♭3
4
♭5
♭7
1
4
♭5
5
1
♭3
B A T
0
3
0
1
2
0
2
0
2
3
0
3
0
3
Closed Position
Section titled “Closed Position”The examples below illustrate the relative minor of C major is A minor and the relative major of A minor is C major.
Position 5 - C Major Blues Scale
Section titled “Position 5 - C Major Blues Scale”C major blues scale
6
1
3
5
1
2
♭3
5
6
2
♭3
3
6
1
5
B A T
5
8
5
6
7
5
7
5
7
8
5
8
5
8
Position 1 - A Minor Blues Scale
Section titled “Position 1 - A Minor Blues Scale”A minor blues scale
1
♭3
5
♭7
♭3
4
♭5
♭7
1
4
♭5
5
1
♭3
5
B A T
5
8
5
6
7
5
7
5
7
8
5
8
5
8