Blues Scale

The Blues Scale is derived from the Minor Pentatonic Scale. It has an added #4th. This note gives the scale a bluesy feel. It is the only difference between the Blues Scale and the Minor Pentatonic Scale. As always, commit the pattern to memory because we will be using the Pentatonic Scale, the Blues Scale, and the Mixolydian Mode in the next lesson. We will, also, be using the 12 bar blues so get ready.

Blues Scale Pattern / Intervals

Root   b3 4 #4 5   b7 Octave
    W+H  W H  H W+H  W
(W - Whole Step, H - Half Step)

Blues Scale Box Patterns

Everyone learns the box patterns, but a couple are the most common.  The image below is the Eb pattern over 12 frets.  Don’t spend too much time memorizing all 5 patterns.  Pattern 5, which we’ll detail below, is the most commonly used.  It’s rooted on the 6th string, which pairs with some of the most common chords.  Pattern 3 is another good one to learn because it is rooted on the 5th string.  If you learn those two, and learn how to connect them on the 1st and 2nd string, you’ll be amazed at what you can play.

Soloing Over the 12 Bar Blues

To keep things simple, I’m going to give you a simple box pattern of the blues scale to start playing over a 12 bar blues progression.

E Blues Scale – Open Position Box Pattern

How to Improvise with the Blues Scale

I’m going to break this down into a very easy method for soloing right now!.  It’s called, “play any note in the blues scale but end the measure on the root note of the backing track chord.” 

1. Play a backing track (We will use a 12 bar blues in E for this lesson – see below).
2. For each measure play notes from the E blues scale that you just learned.  The note order is up to you
3. At the end of each measure play the chord’s root note.  If you lose track of the measures, just use E.  E is located on the open 6th string, open 1st string, and the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
4. If you know how to move the pattern around, try moving the pattern with the chord changes.  They should all work on the backing track below.

12 Bar Blues in E

Make sure you listen for the chord changes!

What’s Next?

As always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for improving this lesson.

Make sure you checked out my 12 bar blues lesson.  It covers the blues forms.  Also, I’ll be adding several blues backing tracks soon. Join my mailing list to find out when new content is arriving.