6-note scale · also called minor blues scale, hexatonic blues

The blues scale on guitar

The minor pentatonic plus one “blue note”, the ♭5: six notes of pure blues.

Formula

1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7

Step pattern

W+H – W – H – H – W+H – W

Sounds

gritty, crying and unmistakably bluesy

The blues scale is the minor pentatonic with one added chromatic note, the ♭5 (also heard as a ♯4). Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7. That extra note creates a chromatic run between the 4th and 5th that instantly sounds like the blues.

Because the ♭5 is so tense, it works best in motion: slides, hammer-ons, quick passing tones and bends. Land on the root, ♭3, 5 or ♭7 instead.

In a standard 12-bar blues the chords are usually dominant 7ths on I, IV and V (for example A7, D7 and E7 in A). The A blues scale fits over the whole progression, and its clash between the scale’s ♭3 and the chord’s major 3rd is part of the sound.

A blues by scale degree

Here is A blues across the neck, labelled by scale degree instead of note name. Because guitar shapes are movable, this same pattern works in every key: slide it so the red root lands on the note you want.

Blues scale in all 12 keys

Pick a key for its notes, chords and fretboard diagrams.

When to use it

Use the blues scale over 12-bar blues, blues-rock, and over dominant 7th chords and minor chords.

Practice tip: Treat the ♭5 as a passing note: slide or hammer through it on the way between the 4th and 5th rather than landing on it.