Blues scale

What it is

Take the minor pentatonic and add a sixth note between the fourth and the fifth: the diminished fifth, known as the blue note. Its formula is 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7.

In A, that gives you A, C, D, E♭, E, G.

The blue note

On the fretboard, it shows up in purple. It’s a tension note: it rubs against the chord, and that’s the point. The golden rule: don’t stop on it. Pass through it, going up from the fourth to the fifth, or back down.

In A: D, E♭, E, three frets in a row. Slide your finger from the 6th to the 7th fret on the A string, and you’ll hear the blues right away.

▶ Listen to position 1

e|-------------------------5-8-|
B|---------------------5-8-----|
G|---------------5-7-8---------|
D|-----------5-7---------------|
A|-----5-6-7-------------------|
E|-5-8-------------------------|

The positions

They’re exactly the same as the minor pentatonic’s, with the blue note added wherever it falls. If you already know position 1 of the A minor pentatonic, you only have two notes to add: the 6th fret on the A string and the 8th fret on the G string.

What to play it over

Over a blues, of course, where the chords are seventh chords: in A, that’s A7, D7 and E7. It also works over rock and songs in a minor key. As with the pentatonic, end your phrases on the root.