Discovering Blues Scales
The A B C's of the Blues

The blues scales can and are used for many styles of music not just the blues. Rock music loves the Blues too.

These scales will give you more ammo for your solo's.

Blues scales are the pentatonic scales with an extra note. But... that one note can change the whole feeling of a song.

Try using these scales along with the pentatonic scales for added flavor.

They won't fit in every song but you are the judge for that.

But they should work in every Blues song, remember there are always exceptions and let your ears be the final judge.

Major and Minor Blues

There are major and minor scales just like there major and minor scales. The major and minor scale forms have the same notes. In other words an A major scale would be the same as an F♯ minor scale.

They are a minor 3rd or a major 6th apart. If you are in A think 3 notes back or 6 notes ahead using the major scale.

It's the home note that is different.

Here are the two scales first the major then the minor.

Major Blues

Major Blues Formula

This formula is based on the major scale

The blues major scale is built 1-2-3♭-3-5-6

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-octave - Note Numbers

A-B-C♯-D-E-F♯-G♯-A - Major scale

A-B-C♯-E-F♯-A - Major Pentatonic Scale

A-B-C-C♯-E-F♯-A - Major Blues Scale

The A Major Blues

Major Blues Audio

I only used the scale notes and no string bends. This is an A major blues played against an A chord

More on Major Blues

Minor Blues

Minor Blues Formula

This formula is based on the major scale. This is the relative minor of the A major Scale

The blues minor scale is built 1-3♭-4-5♭-5-7♭

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-octave - Note Numbers

F♯-G♯-A♯-B-C♯-D♯-E♯-octave - Major scale

F♯-A-B-C♯-E-F♯ Minor Pentatonic Scale

F♯-A-B-C-C♯-E-F♯ - Minor Blues Scale

The Minor Blues List

I only used the scale notes and no string bends. This is an F sharp minor blues played against an F sharp chord.

More on Minor Blues