Blues guitar scales: Must-know scales to ignite your blues guitar playing skills

The minor blues scale

The minor blues scale is as versatile as the minor pentatonic – after all, it’s the same scale just with one additional note.

The intervals are:

1 - b3 – 4 – b5 – 5 – b7

How to use the minor blues scale

You can play in minor keys or over minor chord progressions, and just like the major blues scale, it works over those ambiguous dominant 7 chords.

Play the minor blues scale over the same blues backing track and see how the minor sound changes the feel of the tune. 

Feel free to experiment and switch back and forth between the major and minor blues scales. 

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Remember: these patterns are transposable – if you want to play this blues scale in E, just the root note up to the 12th fret.

Which notes should I bend in the minor blues scale?

• Minor third (b3) to major Third (3) – This half-step bend is one of the most expressive in blues music, it’s at the heart of many classic blues licks.
• Perfect fourth (4) to perfect fifth (5) – This bend passes through the blue note (b5).
• Minor seventh (b7) to root note (1 or R) – Creating tension and then resolving to the tonic is always a satisfying sound.

Of course, blues bending is all about feel and what sounds right in that moment, so make sure you try bending different notes in all different scale positions.

"Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel." – Jimi Hendrix

What is the blue note?

This is the flat fifth (b5) in the minor blues scale and the flat third (b3) in the major version – it’s what gives the blues its distinctive, soulful sound. 

The b5 interval (also known as the tritone) is the quintessential blues guitar note and because of its dissonance creates a lot of tension – so don’t linger on it too long.

With great tension comes great resolution!

5 famous songs that use the blues scale

So what does the blues scale sound like in context? How does the b5 impact the feel of a melody or solo?

Here are five classic tracks to help with the answer.

#5 - The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King

Listen to that iconic Gibson 335 wail! This is a rite of passage for every blues player.

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#4 - Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix

The heavy dissonance in the intro stems from the b5. 

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#3 - Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King 

Another of the ‘three kings’ of blues shows us exactly how to use this soulful scale.

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#2 - Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry

“Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans,” the blues scale was an integral part of the early rock and roll sound.

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#1 - Sunshine of Your Love by Cream

That passing tone in the main riff is the b5. 

It adds such a dark and moody quality to the melody. That, and Clapton’s “Woman Tone” from his Fender Stratocaster.

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How to read scales for blues guitar

You can read scales using diagrams like the ones we’ve included in this article, or by learning the intervals from a book.

It goes a little beyond the scope of this article to go in-depth about the music theory of scale construction. 

For now, I’d recommend:

• Learning both scales in at least two positions on the neck.
• Trying to recognize which intervals work over certain chords.
• Building up your collection of blues licks.

What are blues scale boxes?

These are patterns on the fretboard that help memorize the notes of the blues scale more easily.

These boxes are movable, meaning you can play the same pattern in different positions to change the key.

Many guitarists tend to learn one or two box patterns and stick with them, but this will restrict their musical freedom and could leave them in a creative rut.

Once you’re comfortable with a scale shape, learn the other and connect them together. Over time you’ll build up a complete map of the fretboard.

My 5 top tips for playing blues scales

Here’s a list of five things to work on if you want to get the best from those blues scales.

#5 - Focus on your bends

Bending strings is a fundamental technique in basic blues guitar. 

If you want to make your solos sound more raw and emotional, I think working on those bends is a great place to start.

Practice half-step and whole-step bends from different notes in the scale, find what works, and build licks from there.

You can also seek out those magic “in-between” notes that live outside of ordinary chromatic scale – eat your heart out, piano players! 

#4 – Develop dynamics

This was an absolute game-changer for me.

Playing with dynamics, such as varying the volume and intensity of your playing will make your music more interesting and expressive.

Don’t be afraid to play softly and then suddenly get loud. This contrast can draw listeners in and give your solos more emotional impact.

#3 – Learn from the legends

I studied the style of my personal favorite electric blues guitarists like B.B. King, Albert King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. 

I’d highly recommend listening to their songs, and learning some of their licks so you can incorporate them into your own playing. 

If you really want to be a student of the blues, learn a few of their iconic solos note-for-note to understand their phrasing and overall approach to playing guitar.

#2 - Improvise as much as possible

Blues guitar is about expressing yourself. Whatever mood you're in, try to translate that feeling into music through your improvisations.

If you can sing a soulful melody or lick, and then replicate it on the guitar, you’re well on your way to becoming a great blues guitarist.

#1 – Listen back to yourself

It’s hard to get into the flow while also analyzing yourself – so when you’re playing, don’t overthink.

Instead, record yourself improvising, and then you can listen back and make notes on what you’re doing right, and what could use some work.

I learned that this is a great way to monitor my progress. You can listen to older recordings of yourself to hear how far you’ve come – it’s awesome.

One of the most common issues new guitarists face is keeping time, so always practice to a jam track, or at the very least a metronome.

FAQs

What is blues scale theory?

Blues scale theory involves understanding the construction of the scale, the blue note, and how these elements create the characteristic blues sound.

What is the blues scale formula?

Minor blues scale – 1 - b3 – 4 – b5 – 5 – b7

Major blues scale – 1 – 2 – b3 – 3 – 5 – 6

What are the 12 blues scales?

There are 12 different keys, so the are 12 minor blues scales and 12 major blues scales. 

But the great thing about guitar is everything is easily transposable.

You can learn one shape or pattern and move it anywhere up or down the neck.

• Start on the 5th fret of the low E string and you're playing an A blues scale.
• Start on the 10th fret and it’s in the key of D – easy!

What scale is best for blues?

Both the major and minor blues scales are essential for blues playing. The choice depends on the key, chords, and the mood you want to convey.

What’s the easiest way to learn the blues?

You already know how to play the blues scales on guitar, but we’ve only scratched the surface.

The content in this article is a great start, but to progress quickly and avoid all the common pitfalls, I recommend you find a specialized teacher or mentor.

There’s a lot of information available online, but it often lacks proper guidance and structure – both crucial when starting out.

Want to learn more?

Pickup Music has helped thousands of guitarists develop their skills with structured learning pathways. 

If you’re tired of going around in circles and want to level up your playing – sign up for your free trial, with unrestricted access to all features and content.

The Blues Learning Pathway is the best place to start your blues guitar pathway.

• Structured, step-by-step lesson plans
• Multi-angle, high-quality videos 
• 1:1 feedback from our team of pro guitar teachers
• A thriving online community of like-minded people. 

With these resources, you’ll be in the best position to reach your guitar goals, and whenever you need a little motivation, we’ll be there to give you a push in the right direction.

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Author: Richard Spooner

Richard Spooner is a writer and musician originally from the UK. After studying contemporary guitar at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, he toured the UK with various groups, playing styles ranging from acoustic to metal.

Richard's diverse experience gigging, studying music, working in guitar stores, and managing rehearsal studios has given him valuable insight into guitar and what it means to be a working musician. Since 2019, he has been traveling and working as an editor for Pickup Music, while also contributing to Total Guitar, Killer Guitar Rigs, and Guitar Pro. After a decade of performing, he now enjoys creating songs, writing about guitar, and taking long walks on the beach.