Blues Scales

These are all the notes for the blues scale in each key. Most of you will probably already know the blues positions in each key, but for soloing and improvising, and even writing riffs, it is very handy to have all the notes written down. My suggestion is that you copy all the charts below, paste them into microsoft word and change the font to 'corier new', as it is easy to read in that font. Anyway, enjoy.

Blues scale in A:
e-|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|24|
B-|--|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|16|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|
G-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|8-|9-|--|--|12|--|14|--|--|17|--|19|20|21|--|--|24|
D-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|--|--|10|--|12|13|14|--|--|17|--|19|--|--|22|--|24|
A-|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|22|--|24|
E-|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|23|24|

Blues scale in B:
e-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|--|--|10|--|12|13|14|--|--|17|--|19|--|--|22|--|24|
B-|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|22|--|24|
G-|--|2-|--|4-|--|--|7-|--|9-|10|11|--|--|14|--|16|--|--|19|--|21|22|23|--|
D-|--|2-|3-|4-|--|--|7-|--|9-|--|--|12|--|14|15|16|--|--|19|--|21|--|--|24|
A-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|8-|9-|--|--|12|--|14|--|--|17|--|19|20|21|--|--|24|
E-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|--|--|10|--|12|13|14|--|--|17|--|19|--|--|22|--|24|

Blues scale in C:
e-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|--|--|11|--|13|14|15|--|--|18|--|20|--|--|23|--|
B-|--|--|--|4-|--|6-|7-|8-|--|--|11|--|13|--|--|16|--|18|19|20|--|--|23|--|
G-|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|23|24|
D-|--|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|16|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|
A-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|9-|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|--|18|--|20|21|22|--|--|
E-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|--|--|11|--|13|14|15|--|--|18|--|20|--|--|23|--|

Blues scale in D:
e-|--|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|
B-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|9-|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|--|18|--|20|21|22|--|--|
G-|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|--|--|10|--|12|13|14|--|--|17|--|19|--|--|22|--|24|
D-|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|22|--|24|
A-|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|23|24|
E-|--|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|16|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|

Blues scale in E:
e0|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|20|--|24|
B0|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|23|24|
G0|--|2-|3-|4-|--|--|7-|--|9-|--|--|12|--|14|15|16|--|--|19|--|21|--|--|24|
D0|--|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|8-|9-|--|--|12|--|14|--|--|17|--|19|20|21|--|--|24|
A0|1-|2-|--|--|5-|--|7-|--|--|10|--|12|13|14|--|--|17|--|19|--|--|22|--|24|
E0|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|22|--|24|

Blues scale in F:
e-|1-|--|--|4-|--|6-|7-|8-|--|--|11|--|13|--|--|16|--|18|19|20|--|--|23|--|
B-|1-|--|--|4-|--|6-|--|--|9-|--|11|12|13|--|--|16|--|18|--|--|21|--|23|24|
G-|1-|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|16|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|
D-|1-|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|9-|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|--|18|--|20|21|22|--|--|
A-|1-|2-|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|--|--|11|--|13|14|15|--|--|18|--|20|--|--|23|--|
E-|1-|--|--|4-|--|6-|7-|8-|--|--|11|--|13|--|--|16|--|18|19|20|--|--|23|--|

Blues scale in G:
e-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|9-|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|--|18|--|20|21|22|--|--|
B-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|--|--|11|--|13|14|15|--|--|18|--|20|--|--|23|--|
G-|--|--|3-|--|5-|6-|7-|--|--|10|--|12|--|--|15|--|17|18|19|--|--|22|--|24|
D-|--|--|3-|--|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|11|12|--|--|15|--|17|--|--|20|--|22|23|24|
A-|--|--|3-|4-|5-|--|--|8-|--|10|--|--|13|--|15|16|17|--|--|20|--|22|--|--|
E-|--|--|3-|--|--|6-|--|8-|9-|10|--|--|13|--|15|--|--|18|--|20|21|22|--|--|

Comments

[Dozzy896]

Great I like IT!!!..

[slash_pwns]

Ummm, the tabs is al screwed up...

[folk_rocknroll]

umm ur comp is screwed up..

[les_kris]

tabs are ***ed

[nihilus]

i no, that's why i told you to copy it and put it into corrier font, i sggest you do that

[Desk Jocky]

you need to put it in at about 9.5 for the font size

[guitar_o_gold]

dude what the hell happened, i copied and pasted it and sorted it out and it was really helpfull

[Harmonius]

Sorry, but anyone can name a few scales and publish an article on them.

[metallica0]

WHAT HAVE I BEEN SMOKIN?

[Keefer]

What would we use a blues scale for? Like, what does it combine well with?

[IllegalPanda]

nice scales thanks dude

[ObscuredByLight]

Your tabs, read them I can not.

[nihilus]

to answer keefer's question, blues scales are used very often. the legendary dimebag darrell used them for metal, you can also use them for jazz etc. i find it's the most useful scale.

[JohnnySlash]

sorry but I don't know which way to read it! (And yes, I've sorted it out) Is it from left to right or what? (sorry)

[JohnnySlash]

Sorry but I don't know which way to play it! (and yes, I've sorted it out) is it from left to right or what? (sorry)

[nihilus]

yeh, it's left to right. the numbers are the frets (obviously)

[kdo]

im confussed...i understand it but my eyes just see random lines and numbers.

[Nirvana101]

I couldn't read any of that

[JohnnySlash]

oops did I wrote that two times?

anyway, I meant do you play all the notes at the same time or just one string at the time? (sorry again!)

[Desk Jocky]

nihilus:
i no, that's why i told you to copy it and put it into corrier font, i sggest you do that
[POSTED: 14 April 2005 - 12:27]|

Desk Jocky:
you need to put it in at about 9.5 for the font size
[POSTED: 16 April 2005 - 11:39]|

[nihilus]

to johny, it's basically just a plotting for all the notes in the blues scales. you can play the notes in almost any order and it will sound okay. i put it on here to help people come up with riffs. PM me if you still don't understand and i'll try to explain in more detail

[ak Gitaroo Man]

i was thinking this would be a tab of the scale so i could move it around like barre chords and other scales.

[nihilus]

you can move the pattern up and down. i've already done it for all teh keys but if you wanted to play it in say A sharp you could. the scales are just made up of five simple patterns (or if you put them together like i have you could think of it as one large pattern).

[imthaman]

if you actually take the time and cut and paste it into word this LESSON IS GREAT. If you can memorize these scales you can solo in any key. Forget trying to be a rock star, learn these with a backing blues track, get one for each key and you will have a load of fun with this stuff, before i learned these, lead guitar was not my thing, but now a couple boys, couple beers and it's a great time.

[PinkFloyd_SG]

Good lesson, If someone could do this for other kinds of scales that would be great or if someone could show me where they are. thanks

[nihilus]

i'm working on a similar thing for the major scale and i'll post it on here in the next couple of days. then i'll do the minor.

[thesmartguy50]

Good stuff, man. I think you're the first one that actually remembered to stick the blues note in there, instead of just putting the pentatonic scale in an article and dubbing it "the blues scale." Congrats!

[Peterjs]

I like it that the scales are written down by frets and they're not retarded tabs. It's easier to learn on this lesson.

[MASON153]

solid

[adm]

great lesson

[TooLz]

Wicked man/girl whatever, these will help alot!!

[KENZI]

nice nice good good 5* for ease of reading and help.

[4ero]

if u cant read it, copy and paste it into notepad !!!

[Mr. Friction]

Keefer:
What would we use a blues scale for? Like, what does it combine well with?
to answer your question, you can use it with almost and power chord, regular chord, and made up chord

[younggunforlife]

very good lesson, really helpful 5*

[rock zeppelin]

i cant really read that well to many numbers, i think anyways

[stratman1030]

TO MANY NUMBERS

[liam177lewis]

cheers dude, very helpful

[demez]

thanks mate once it was sorted out it was very helpful

[joshjhasarrived]

how r u supposed to read that dude

[Newbie Rocker]

Here is a suggestion copy, paste into a document, and change the font to lucidia console and change the size accordingy everything lines up PERFECTLY

[toolguitarkid]

hmmm...it is pretty good but i am not used to seeing like in a tab format i'll get it sooner or later

[codeezie]

How can I use this to help my soloing? I'm a total n00b.

[Notgood]

this it to help your improvization as well as give you those bluesy counding notes to build riffs.This is an excellent lesson.

[mitchell_5150]

i cant read any of it hardly

[Philosopher1989]

wat is the point of this when u can go to looknohands.com and get this scale in numerous keys and so many other things for free?

[Romanov]

hey to anyone who is spamming this forum with comments on how they cant read this stuff....well copy paste it into a full screen wordpad file...it ends up to be nice and clear with no confusion...very simple but clear program THIS TAB ROCKS!

[thesmartguy50]

Or, just go and check out "Blues Scales and Progressions", since it tells you not only all five of the boxes, but how to transpose them, too

[nunchuckermofkr]

your tabs are sticky and sweatylike my balls

[BassDude2737]

nice post but the tabs are screwed

[Respect_Walk]

what happens if ive only got 22 frets, do i jus skip the 23rd and 24ths notes?

[thesmartguy50]

Respect_Walk:
what happens if ive only got 22 frets, do i jus skip the 23rd and 24ths notes?

yeah, pretty much, man

[acoustix70]

nice lesson...

[Meatontheface]

I don't get it

[bucaneerfanboy]

i like the scales pretty easy but good

[Pistolero]

retarded question, but how do we know when to play open strings?

[gary19862k6]

only the E blues scale has open strings dumbass
thats why there is only O's at the beginnin of the E blues scale tab

[santaskuz21]

Greal lesson, very very useful!

[flipfox_redoubt]

this lesson totally rocks!!!

i think this is the easiest lesson for a beginner and intermediate players like me to understand

btw, why is it that the author is unregistered?

[maddog22]

thanks dude, this is something everyone needs to know. if you're learning how to solo, read this article, it will get you started.

[Wannabehippie]

Respect_Walk wrote:

what happens if ive only got 22 frets, do i jus skip the 23rd and 24ths notes?

Either that or you could put it in Octaves for some of the stringsif you really want those extra notes.

Btw nice lesson dude, i'll be using this in the future.

[Llyell]

not bad, but not extremely helpful.. you could make it easier for noobs to learn. lol

[W4T3V3R]

how do you read it, left to right but where to stop do you go 3--5 3--5 2--5 2--5 3--4--5 3---5 (top to bottom then next bit) i dont know when to stop reading left to right.

[DeweyFinn]

Hey, I just copied and pasted into MS Word, recolored text, and viola . . .

[guns'n'roses]

very helfull excelent work

[sherwin]

Very Precise....though (for further reference) you could've also suggested for what and where blues scales are helpful and some of the major artists that have used them.
Would've generated more interest in learning the scales.

[truazatic]

can someboby educate me on this? really dont know where to start and where to end it

[azainsworth]

Thank you. Very nice.

[Rocker890]

dude all you needed to do was show the 5 shapes of each scale. for anyone who wants to know you use the blues mainly in blues and the use b5 or blues note as a passing note hendrix was great at this

[Jimmy3]

i've been looking for something laid out like this for a long time, it's perfect, thinks a lot.

[KoRRuPT]

is the b
e |2--5-----|
B |----3--5-----|
G |-----2--4-----|
D |-----23-4-----|
A |-----2--4-----|
E |-----2--4--|
Cuz im still puzzled about this I knew guitarist had their own style but i nver knew how to read it well Zack Wylde's is sumthin like this.
e |-5-2-----|
B |----5-2-----|
G |-----4-2-----|

[KoRRuPT]

Sorry bout the B and zacks scale...uhh its top to bottom not left to right ok..so yea sum one tell me if at least close

[robelie]

thats ok dude!!! =)

[robelie]

ggrrr goood!!!!!

[robelie]

hmmm... guys i saw that there are already blues and major scales, but theres no minor scales. if you want you can contact me on my email and ill give it to you!!! "IF" you only need it ok!!! heres my email add.
[e-mail]

[KoRRuPT]

take back wut I said excellent scale lesson...idk how its 7.4 it should be a 9

[Mario-Guitar]

take back wut I said excellent scale lesson...idk how its 7.4 it should be a 9

that's because only half of the notes are done... he forgot notes between the A and the B for example

[Mario-Guitar]

only the E blues scale has open strings dumbass
thats why there is only O's at the beginnin of the E blues scale tab

no that's not true .. if you have the 5th note on the E string in the A Blues Scale you get an open A string. sow that isn't true dumbass

[Malakian=God]

Thanks, this was a great article. Pity thers a few idiots, who have to put down every article they come across.

[Musketeer(s)]

You idiots.

There is no start or end.

It's not a tab.

Its a fretboard. With all the notes you can use on it.

Dumasses

[jjamesjmh]

there is no mention of min. and Maj. in your blues scale thingamabob. It is possible to use the same pattern and just transpose it up or down a step and a half (depending on which fingering pattern is being used) but I really think a -presentation of "THE BLUES SCALE" is kind of misleading. Along with the Maj/min thing, there are about ten variations on the blues scale that will make the scale sound better over a particular chord or progression, like how many chromatics are thrown in, where the chromatics are placed, and also skipping certain notes to accent others. I appreciate when people take the time to show scales they know, but I thought you skipped a couple of points on this particular scale.

[jjamesjmh]

UUUGGGH!!! This stupid board wiped my comment! But as I already said, I think the author should have made some referance to Maj./min. blues scales. While it's possible to just transpose a pattern up or down a step and a half (depending on pattern) it seems wrong to present "THE BLUES SCALE" as if there is only one. There are still many variations on the basic blues scale configuration that enhance its effect over certain chords or progressions, like how many chromatic notes to play and where to place them, and also skipping certain notes to add emphasis to others. I appreciate when people take time to share scales they know, but there was alot left out on this particular one-imo.

[jjamesjmh]

oh my god!!! HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!! I guess my 1st comment found its way back to this dimension - please disregard the 1st or the 2nd, both is another possibility.

[the outlaw]

well at least weve got it even if the tab is screwed badly.great anyway

[justin_fraser]

You idiots.

There is no start or end.

It's not a tab.

Its a fretboard. With all the notes you can use on it.

Dumasses

lol exactly right, its not a tab

[Floyal]

n00bs ..is this a tab ? ..go learn guitar

[Acdc182]

Dude stop compaining about ont awsome Job!!!

[2Briffin]

What is the most common of all these blues scale (which key) and also, if you are listining to a song that you want to try and play, what is the best thing to listen for to try and pick out the key?

[supersolus666]

Keefer wrote:

What would we use a blues scale for? Like, what does it combine well with?

just listen to dimebag darrell or zakk wylde

[Salzary]

wow this helped me a lot thanks.

[Gregray88]

u dont need scales to play riffs...u need scales to solo under riffs...im prety sure

[cowboysneverdie]

hey everybody try not to rag on the new people to much everyone was new at some point my only complaint about this is even though I can play these notes on my acoustic there is a difference in style for blues riffs and scales I wish that someone would put some of them out for acoustic players

[inethacker]

well its good but its more like a tab rather than a lesson...thanks anyway still helped

[inethacker]

also forgot to post, these are the minor blues scales, and you dont have the #'s

[nay-palm]

dont be such no0bs its not that hard to read even on the site

[TheWarlock724]

The fretboard layout makes sense to me... but I do have what may be a dumb question, or it might just be something that applies to the blues scale... here goes:

Shouldn't any scale that includes the 12th fret include the open note on the string? Please don't kill me for asking... the octaves repeat on the 24 fret so I would only assume...

[Punk Rocker]

Wow. Where has this lesson been for the past three years I've been playing guitar??

[jadahlke]

this is def. awesome

if you're just learning, i'd suggest finding the key to an old bb king song and just play around with it. . .

[yngwierawks92]

doesnt help me
m'eh
:-\

[SKarbu]

ver very nice scale...it tops

[mikel724]

The question has been raised a few times, most recently by warlock724. Is anyone paying attention? Let me preamble: yes this is not a guitar tab and no I'm not talking about the Key of E. In the Key of A (minor -pentatonic scale) for instance, A,C,D,D#,E,G are notes of the scale, including the D# blues note. Therefore, not only are the OPEN STRINGS E,A,D and G not indicated on the Key of A chart, there is a substantial omission of "1" on the B string (C). There may be more errors as I didn't spend much time looking at this. -MikeL

[dryh2o_podz11]

how will i play it??? just like pentatonic scale??
is this pattern right? do i have 2 put it in microsoft world just like u say to make it clearyer??
are this pattern grab by do re mi fa so la ti do??
could some one answer my questions!! [e-mail]

[HughF]

Thx thx thx, I use this a lot.

[Liam.]

I finally understood the layout today

Excellent stuff!

[coolsascha]

Ok, but how i can learn this? Every scale? or is there a rythm?

[bigbanana]

cool! this is just what i need!!

[bloody oaf]

You left out the open notes(the zero fret) for all scales apart from E. very handy anyway. you have to be retarded if you can't understand this guide.

[anaz]

nice...

[Greg Harper]

ObscuredByLight wrote:

Your tabs, read them I can not.

-Like Yoda you speak.

[sTx]

Keefer wrote:

What would we use a blues scale for? Like, what does it combine well with?

Blues, maybe?

[ajink101]

does this work with any guitar like bass, acoustic and such?

[liquid85]

I'm new to theory, would you say that this scale in the key of E, is E minor pentatonic with flattened 2nd?

[vaughanfan_jc07]

can some one help me out...are those all the numbers we can play in the scale? for example i can play the second fret on string D but not on string A? am i understanding that correctly? im not very familiar with blues scales and am trying to get serious about learning them and progressions. if some 1 can help me out on here or email me that would be cool

[Megadeth77]

I like it, its great, but I would like to have the forms/blueprints for them. Thnx!!

[nickbalura]

hi there yea i like this tab its wicked the only one i can find on internet that does scales on all 21 frets i was wondering cause u have done the minor scales would u be able to do the A dorian scale

[white_summer4]

really useful man

[kenhillmusic]

wut the **** is this shit?
the tabs are all ****ed up!

[faker33]

Thanks man, this is exactly what I was looking for to save myself the time to write them out myself. . . . spot on.

[yupi0099]

its a very confusing scale!!can't read it!

[grille]

like this a loot very help full

an 8 here

[SlySimon]

Firstly thx for the effort it is very handy. It also displays perfect for me.
For all the noobs, and idiots that post before reading the comments, I hope this helps.

All the scales shown are blues scales (minor pentatonic) they are shown in there appropiate key. The lines represent strings and the numbers represent the frets. It is in tab format but isn´t a tab as you can use all or any of the notes in the scale in any order to build riffs or licks.
The types of songs they apply to is a silly question, provided you use the scale of the appropiate key and a little intuition it can be used in any song, it favours blues only for the chord progressions, ie the E minor pentatonic will fit perfectly the E, A and B chords generally used in blues. I hope all you that knock this, will read this and hopefully realise what a favour this guy has done you. Good Luck.

[rokknrollldude]

this is exactly what ive been looking for for awhile

[rocker931]

slash_pwns wrote:

Ummm, the tabs is al screwed up...

It's fine to me.

[tortillaconcern]

to the cconfused: pick a scale, any scale. pluck each note individually in ANY order and it should sound like a solo, perhaps a bit slow but thats when you start practicing. I suggest you look at the CAGED blues scales link, it will put the patterns into perspective as they progress up and down the fretboard.

[franZka]

at the beginning, for me was difficult can read the scales in that way, but noww i'm learning, they're really good
thanks guy
=D

[boreddumb86]

I was jw why is it such a big deal about noobs i mean just cuz u have been playn longer and understand it doesnt mean u can play better. Wat i mean is instead of bn a ass why dnt u try helping those ppl. Oh and by the way it looks fine to me. great job on the whole scale.

[Chedo]

YES!

I UNDESTOOD THAT

THE ONLY PROBLEM IS GONNA BE TO LEARN OF MEMORR ALL THOSE TABS!

[dennevhyn_31]

actually for first time readers of tabs, it will be quite hard to get at first. but anyway, the tabs are accurate and good. that will be helpful. good job dude! :

[rockshed22]

i really dont get it?! how can u do great solos if u mastered all scales, some one tell me..

[xxZacGxx]

dude this is a big help man thank you...

[Timmy 110]

You guys suck i could read it straight away. You dont have to play it use the notes shown to write songs!
The numbers are the frets.
Great Scales Though. Do some Minor Ones

[shadowtiger]

Harmonius wrote:

Sorry, but anyone can name a few scales and publish an article on them.

And yet not enough people do it

[oasis247]

HAHA. "Harmonius" go and die because everyone HATES you.

[trombonista1234]

can somebody help me out w/ this cause i dont know how to read these one please teach me please

[Arnold.yozz]

great lesson..thanks dude

[maccas666]

THANKS MAN!

Really helped a lot.

[jucsville]

nice lesson. and for all you who don't get it, your either new to guitar or just ****ing retarded. but anyways thanks for a great lesson.

[jucsville]

also you should definately make some tabs of minor scales.

[rocker931]

I hate all the guitar noobs that come here.

[Scrooluce]

these comments are full of fail...

[leomarNeil]

i think its good...hehe,

hi... i'm new here... and i am also new of guitar... can someone help me how to read the tabs? eh.. that's my problem for now... for someone who can help me, thanks in advance...

[blueyedevil]

this is great for beginners...good post....the confusion is that peeps are looking at this like tabulature (arrangements) its not....this simply shows you ALL the combinations for each key.....in other words...anywhere it says say 3, 5 7 or 12 you can strike these notes in any combination you wish as long as you stay in key (the fret placement/string number) so rock out any combo you want there is no SET order with this...this is to keep you in key on a blues run.

[blueyedevil]

this is great for beginners...good post....the confusion is that peeps are looking at this like tabulature (arrangements) its not....this simply shows you ALL the combinations for each key.....in other words...anywhere it says say 3, 5 7 or 12 you can strike these notes in any combination you wish as long as you stay in key (the fret placement/string number) so rock out any combo you want there is no SET order with this...this is to keep you in key on a blues run.