Blues Scale Guitar
5 fretboard positions, TAB diagrams, blue note locations, and all 12 keys. The minor pentatonic plus one note that changes everything.
What Is the Blues Scale on Guitar?
The blues scale is the minor pentatonic scale with one added note: the flat 5, also called the blue note. It has 6 notes instead of 5.
Minor Pentatonic
1 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7
A: A C D E G
5 notes
Blues Scale
1 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7
A: A C D Eb E G
6 notes
The Blue Note (b5)
The Eb/D# sits between the 4th and 5th. It is a passing tone, not a resting note. Bend into it, slide through it, vibrate it for authentic blues feel.
Why it works: The b5 clashes with the natural 5th a half step above it, creating tension that demands resolution. That unresolved tension is the sound of the blues.
Blues Scale vs Minor Pentatonic
| Aspect | Minor Pentatonic | Blues Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Notes | 5 (1 b3 4 5 b7) | 6 (1 b3 4 b5 5 b7) |
| A key notes | A C D E G | A C D Eb E G |
| Blue note | None | Flat 5 (Eb in A) |
| Tension level | Moderate | Higher (b5 tension) |
| Best for | Rock, R&B, metal soloing | Blues, rock, soul, authentic bends |
| Phrasing style | Flowing lines | Bent notes, slides, passing tones |
| Famous users | Slash, Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammett | BB King, Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan |
5 Blues Scale Positions (A Blues)
All positions shown in A. Root notes highlighted in yellow, blue note in blue. To use in any other key, shift all positions by the same number of frets.
Position 1 (Box Pattern)
The foundation. Root on low E at fret 5. Blue note at fret 6 on the G string.
Position 2
Extends from position 1. Root on A string at fret 7. Blue note at fret 9 on the D string.
Position 3
Covers the upper-middle neck. Root on D string at fret 12 (or G string at fret 9).
Position 4
Octave position of Position 1. Root on low E at fret 17 (or high e at fret 17).
Position 5
High neck position. Connects back to Position 1 an octave up.
How to Use the Blue Note
Approach from below
Play the 4th (D in A blues), then the blue note (Eb), then resolve up to the 5th (E). Classic blues move. On guitar: fret 5, slide to fret 6, land on fret 7 (G string in Position 1).
Bend into the 5th
Bend the blue note (b5) up a half step to the 5th. Creates instant tension and release. Fret 6 on G string, bend up to fret 7. The signature Stevie Ray Vaughan lick.
Chromatic pass-through
Slide chromatically from the 4th through the b5 to the 5th: D - Eb - E. Three consecutive half-step notes give a jazz-inflected blues sound. Use it descending too: E - Eb - D.
Vibrato on the blue note
Hold the blue note and vibrate it without resolving. Let it hover, unstable. This is how BB King built entire phrases around unresolved tension. Works best on the G string.
Avoid resting on it
The b5 is a passing tone. It sounds powerful because it never settles. If you land and stop on the blue note, it sounds wrong. Always keep it moving: approach, use, release.
Double-stop the b5 and b7
Play the blue note (Eb) and the b7 (G) together for a gritty two-note harmonized sound. In Position 1 of A blues: fret 6 on G string + fret 5 on B string. Defines rhythm blues guitar.
Blues Scale: All 12 Keys
| Key | Notes | Blue Note (b5) | Low E Root Fret | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | A C D Eb E G | Eb | 5 | Blues, Rock, R&B |
| E | E G A Bb B D | Bb | Open | Blues, Classic Rock |
| D | D F G Ab A C | Ab | 10 | Blues, Rock |
| G | G Bb C Db D F | Db | 3 | Blues, Rock, Country |
| C | C Eb F Gb G Bb | Gb | 8 | Blues, Soul, Gospel |
| B | B D E F F# A | F | 7 | Blues, Rock |
| F | F Ab Bb B C Eb | B | 1 | Jazz Blues, Gospel |
| F#/Gb | F# A B C C# E | C | 2 | Blues, Jazz |
| Bb | Bb Db Eb E F Ab | E | 6 | Jazz Blues, Gospel |
| Eb | Eb Gb Ab A Bb Db | A | 11 | Blues, Gospel |
| Ab | Ab B Db D Eb Gb | D | 4 | Jazz Blues |
| Db | Db E Gb G Ab B | G | 9 | Jazz Blues |
Famous Blues Licks and Songs
Pride and Joy
Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV uses the E blues scale with heavy string bending and vibrato. Position 1 at fret 0 (open). The b5 (Bb) bent up to the 5th (B) is his signature sound.
The Thrill Is Gone
BB King
BB King rarely leaves Position 1. He exploits the blue note with hovering vibrato rather than bending through it. Position 1 at fret 7 on the A string.
Crossroads
Robert Johnson / Cream
Classic delta blues in A. The riff runs through Positions 1 and 2 (frets 5-10 on A string). Clapton's version demonstrates running the scale as a lead line.
Red House
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix plays the Bb blues scale with chromatic approach notes and double-stops. The blue note (E natural) appears prominently in his slow-bend phrases.
Boom Boom
John Lee Hooker
Hooker's signature monotone boogie uses the low strings of the E blues scale exclusively. Position 1 open position, emphasis on the low E and A strings.
Sunshine of Your Love
Cream
The opening riff is the D blues scale on low strings: D-F-G-Ab-A-C. Position 1 at fret 10. The chromatic Ab to A is the defining hook of the song.
Blues Scale by Genre
Delta Blues
Keys: A, E, D, GSlow, single-string phrases with heavy vibrato on the blue note. Let the b5 hover unresolved for long periods. Robert Johnson, Son House style.
Chicago Blues
Keys: A, Bb, F, GPosition 1 box pattern dominates. Double-stops on adjacent strings (b5 + b7 together). BB King, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf approach.
Blues Rock
Keys: E, A, D, GConnect all 5 positions across the full neck. Add pentatonic runs and bend the b5 aggressively. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa.
Soul / R&B
Keys: D, F, Bb, EbShorter phrases with more space between notes. The blue note used as a chromatic approach from below rather than a bent note. Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin backing guitar.
Jazz Blues
Keys: Bb, F, C, GMix the blues scale with arpeggios and chord tones. Use the b5 to set up a tritone substitution. Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell style.
Hip-Hop / Neo-Soul Guitar
Keys: D, F, C, GShort motifs and clips sampled over beats. Clean or slightly overdriven. The blue note gives the nostalgic vintage blues feeling over modern drum patterns.
The Major Blues Scale
The minor blues scale (above) is the most common. The major blues scale = major pentatonic + flat 3 (blue note). Formula: 1 - 2 - b3 - 3 - 5 - 6
A Major Blues Scale
A - B - C - C# - E - F#
Blue note = C (b3, before the natural 3rd C#)
When to use it
Major blues scale works over major and dominant 7th chords for a brighter, happier blues feel. Common in country blues, gospel, and classic rock. The b3 blue note adds just enough grit without darkening the sound as much as the minor blues scale.
Quick tip: BB King frequently blends the A minor blues scale AND the A major blues scale in the same solo, using the natural 3rd (C#) for brighter moments and the b3 (C) for gritty moments. This is called "playing both sides" and is a hallmark of Chicago blues.
6 Tips for Mastering the Blues Scale on Guitar
Start with Position 1 in A
A blues Position 1 (fret 5-8) is the most used position in blues guitar history. Learn it completely before moving on. The root is on the low E at fret 5. The blue note is on the G string at fret 6.
Mark the blue note in every position
In each new position you learn, identify the flat 5 immediately. It is always one fret above the 4th and one fret below the 5th. Highlight it, practice approaching and leaving it.
Bend into the blue note from the 4th
One of the most essential blues guitar moves: bend the 4th (D in A) up a half step to the b5 (Eb). In Position 1: fret 5 on the G string, bend up toward fret 6. Then release back.
Use BeatKey to detect the key first
Before soloing over a track or sample, detect the key with BeatKey. That tells you exactly where your root is on the neck and which position of the blues scale to use.
Slow down and leave space
Blues phrasing is about space and feel, not speed. Play a lick, pause, let it breathe. The silence between notes is as important as the notes themselves. Practice at 50 BPM with a metronome.
Target chord tones as landing notes
In a 12-bar blues in A, the chords are A7, D7, and E7. Land on the root (A, D, E) or the b7 (G, C, D) on beat 1 of each chord change. Use the blues scale to travel between those landing points.
Detect the Key Before You Solo
Upload a track or sample to BeatKey to detect its key instantly. Then come back and select the right blues scale position for that key. Fret number from the all-12-keys table tells you exactly where to start Position 1.
Related Scale Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the blues scale on guitar? +
The blues scale on guitar is the minor pentatonic scale with one added note: the flat 5 (also called the blue note or tritone). The formula is 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. For A blues, the notes are A C D Eb E G. The blue note (Eb/D#) is a passing tone that creates the characteristic tense, expressive sound of blues guitar. It has 6 notes vs the pentatonic's 5.
Where is the blue note on guitar in Position 1? +
In A minor blues Position 1 (starting at fret 5), the blue note (Eb/D#) is at fret 6 on the G string. It sits between the D at fret 5 and the E at fret 7. The same note also appears at fret 6 on the low E string (passing tone between A at fret 5 and C at fret 8). It also appears at fret 6 on the high e string.
What is the difference between the blues scale and minor pentatonic on guitar? +
The minor pentatonic has 5 notes (1 b3 4 5 b7). The blues scale has 6 notes (1 b3 4 b5 5 b7). The only difference is the flat 5 (blue note). For A minor: pentatonic = A C D E G, blues scale = A C D Eb E G. The blue note (Eb) is used as a passing tone, not a resting note. All 5 pentatonic positions apply directly to the blues scale with the blue note added in each position.
Can you use the blues scale over major chords? +
Yes. The blues scale works over dominant 7th chords (A7, E7, D7) and major chords in a blues context because the b3 note (the "crushed third") creates the characteristic blues tension against the major chord. Traditional 12-bar blues uses A7, D7, and E7 chords but soloists play the A blues scale over all three. The tension between the b3 and the major 3rd in the chord is the defining sound of the blues.