The Blues Scale on Guitar: Adding That Extra Note

The blues scale is the minor pentatonic plus one extra note - the “blue note” (♭5 or #4). This single addition transforms the sound from “minor pentatonic” to unmistakably “blues.” It’s the note that makes the blues sound like the blues.

If you already know the minor pentatonic (and you should - it’s the first scale every guitarist learns), the blues scale is a 30-second upgrade that unlocks an entirely new dimension of expression.

Blues Scale Formula

Minor Pentatonic: 1 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – ♭7 Blues Scale: 1 – ♭3 – 4 – ♭5 – 5 – ♭7

The ♭5 is the blue note. In A minor:

Pentatonic: A – C – D – E – G
Blues: A – C – D – D#/E♭ – E – G

That D#/E♭ is what creates the tension, the grit, the feeling of the blues.

Position 1 (The Blues Box)

Starting from the A root on the 6th string, 5th fret:

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

The blue notes are:

6th string, 6th fret (E♭)
5th string, 8th fret is actually the octave area - the blue note here is the 6th fret D# on the 4th string
3rd string, 6th fret (E♭)

Compare to the standard pentatonic - the blues scale adds one fret on specific strings.

How to USE the Blue Note

Rule: Don’t Land On It

The blue note creates tension. It wants to resolve to either the 4th or the 5th (the notes on either side). Use it as a passing tone - play through it on the way to somewhere else.

Good: D → D# → E (passing through the blue note to the 5th) Bad: Playing D# and holding it for three beats (unresolved tension too long)

Technique 1: Chromatic Walk

Walk through three consecutive notes: D → D# → E. This chromatic movement is the signature blues sound.

Technique 2: Bend Into It

Bend the 4th (D) up slightly - not quite to D# - creating a “between the notes” quality that is PURE blues. This “bent blue note” is what B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan do constantly.

Technique 3: Quick Passing Tone

Play D#, immediately resolve to E. The blue note should be a quick flash - tension → immediate release.

All 5 Positions

Position 1 (Root on 6th string, 5th fret)

The “blues box” shown above. The most common position.

Position 2 (8th fret area)

e|---8---10-----|
B|---8---10-----|
G|---7---9-10---|
D|---7---9-10---|
A|---7-8--10----|
E|---8---10-----|

Position 3 (10th fret area)

e|---10--12-13--|
B|---10--12-----|
G|---9-10-12----|
D|---9-10-12----|
A|---10--12-----|
E|---10--12-13--|

Position 4 (12th fret area)

e|---13--15-----|
B|---12-13-15---|
G|---12--14-----|
D|---12--14-----|
A|---12-13-15---|
E|---13--15-----|

Position 5 (3rd fret area, wraps around)

e|---3---5------|
B|---3---5------|
G|---2---4-5----|
D|---2---4-5----|
A|---3---5-6----|
E|---3---5-6----|

Blues Scale Licks

Lick 1: The Classic Blues Walk

D|---5---6---7---|

Walk through 4th → ♭5th → 5th on one string. The quintessential blues sound.

Lick 2: Bend Through the Blue Note

G|---5b6---5-----|

Bend the 5th fret (D) up slightly toward D# (the blue note), but don’t reach full D# - stay in between. Release. This microtonal quality IS the blues.

Lick 3: Blue Note Turnaround

e|---8---5---------|
B|---------8---5---|
G|-------------6-5-7---|

Descend through the blues box, hitting the blue note (6th fret, 3rd string) as a passing tone.

Songs That Feature the Blues Scale

“Crossroads” – Cream - Eric Clapton’s solo is pure blues scale
“Pride and Joy” – Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas blues-scale mastery
“The Thrill Is Gone” – B.B. King - Melodic use of the blue note
“Red House” – Jimi Hendrix - Extended blues-scale improvisation
“Still Got the Blues” – Gary Moore - Dramatic blue note bending

Common Mistakes

1. Using the blue note too much. It’s a spice, not the main ingredient. If every other note is the ♭5, the special quality is lost.

2. Landing on the blue note. Landing and staying on the blue note creates unresolved tension without direction. Pass through it or bend into it.

3. Only using Position 1. The blues scale sounds different in each position. Explore all five for maximum fretboard coverage.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Use the Chord Library in Guitar Wiz to look up dominant 7th chords (A7, E7, D7) - these are the chords you’ll play the blues scale over. Set the Metronome to a shuffle feel for authentic blues practice.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Chord Library →

FAQ

What’s the difference between blues scale and pentatonic?

The blues scale adds one note - the ♭5 (blue note) - to the minor pentatonic. Same five notes plus one extra.

Can I use the blues scale over any chord?

It works best over blues progressions (I7-IV7-V7), minor chords, and dominant 7th chords. It also works over major chord progressions in many rock and pop contexts.

Is the blues scale minor or major?

The standard blues scale is based on the minor pentatonic. There is a major blues scale (1-2-♭3-3-5-6), but the minor version is far more common.