Where do I Start?The Blues Scale for Guitar
The Blues Scale
Here is the Blues Scale in the Key of E broken down for you to see each of the seven unique patterns within the scale.
We chose E but could have easily used F or A as our scale. But the E blues scale uses the open fret notes to get it going and a good visual image to learn.
E Blues Step Pattern
The numbers of the degrees in the scale referenced back to the major scale would be:
1, b3 (flatted 3rd), 4, #4 (augmented 4th), 5, b7
Its good to start learning the numbers of the degrees in scales because you will find a lot of referencing back to the major scale of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
How To Read The Scale Diagrams
A simple way to learn guitar notes is to break the scale down into manageable pieces. The dots represent the note locations in the scale. Red signifies the octaves or root note. Grey represents the fifth note and black represents the remaining notes in the scale.
The octave and fifth notes are important because of their stability and their use for resolution and turn around points.
Each scale diagram focusses on the starting note of the scale pattern and moves down the low E string one note at a time showing you each of the sequential positional patterns.
Position 1
This is the first position of the E blues scale. The dots above the string letters indicate to play the open strings - unfretted. The note that make the blues so bluesy is that single flatted 5th just above the 5th (grey note). Its three notes in a row - no whole steps. Remember this.
Position 2
This is the second position of the blues scale. The second note is the G at the third fret.
Notice the relationship between the octaves in this pattern. Also notice the location of the fifth note (grey) relative to the root note.
Position 3
The third note is the A located at the fifth fret. And then there are those three familiar notes one after another. Same on the low E and high E strings. Remember this too.
Position 4
The fourth note of the scale is the Bb at the sixth fret.
Position 5
The fifth note of the scale is the B at the seventh fret.
The sixth note of the blues scale is found at the tenth fret. Notice how the scale finishes nicely at the twelfth fret. Octave notes again the same at the first pattern at the Nut.
Position 6
The sixth note of the blues scale is found at the tenth fret. Notice how the scale finishes nicely at the twelfth fret. Octave notes again the same at the first pattern at the Nut.
So there you have it. The Blues Scale. Practice this scale any way you can and it will be extremely useful for you. Or try out the Easylead Guitar Note Map with Jam Tracks and Videos for instant fun!
Here is the Blues Scale in the Key of E broken down for you to see each of the seven unique patterns within the scale.
We chose E but could have easily used F or A as our scale. But the E blues scale uses the open fret notes to get it going and a good visual image to learn.
E Blues Step Pattern
The numbers of the degrees in the scale referenced back to the major scale would be:
1, b3 (flatted 3rd), 4, #4 (augmented 4th), 5, b7
Its good to start learning the numbers of the degrees in scales because you will find a lot of referencing back to the major scale of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
How To Read The Scale Diagrams
A simple way to learn guitar notes is to break the scale down into manageable pieces. The dots represent the note locations in the scale. Red signifies the octaves or root note. Grey represents the fifth note and black represents the remaining notes in the scale.
The octave and fifth notes are important because of their stability and their use for resolution and turn around points.
Each scale diagram focusses on the starting note of the scale pattern and moves down the low E string one note at a time showing you each of the sequential positional patterns.
Position 1
This is the first position of the E blues scale. The dots above the string letters indicate to play the open strings - unfretted. The note that make the blues so bluesy is that single flatted 5th just above the 5th (grey note). Its three notes in a row - no whole steps. Remember this.
Position 2
This is the second position of the blues scale. The second note is the G at the third fret.
Notice the relationship between the octaves in this pattern. Also notice the location of the fifth note (grey) relative to the root note.
Position 3
The third note is the A located at the fifth fret. And then there are those three familiar notes one after another. Same on the low E and high E strings. Remember this too.
Position 4
The fourth note of the scale is the Bb at the sixth fret.
Position 5
The fifth note of the scale is the B at the seventh fret.
The sixth note of the blues scale is found at the tenth fret. Notice how the scale finishes nicely at the twelfth fret. Octave notes again the same at the first pattern at the Nut.
Position 6
The sixth note of the blues scale is found at the tenth fret. Notice how the scale finishes nicely at the twelfth fret. Octave notes again the same at the first pattern at the Nut.
So there you have it. The Blues Scale. Practice this scale any way you can and it will be extremely useful for you. Or try out the Easylead Guitar Note Map with Jam Tracks and Videos for instant fun!
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