A blues scale on guitar
The A blues scale has 6 notes: A, C, D, E♭, E and G. The minor pentatonic with one extra note, the flat 5th (the “blue note”). Use it as a passing note between the 4th and 5th for that instantly bluesy sound.
Notes in A blues
- Formula
- 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W+H – W – H – H – W+H – W
- Notes
- 6
Tap a note to hear it.
A blues across the neck
Every A blues note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, A. A good place to start: A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| ♭3 | C | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| ♭5 | E♭ | Flat 5th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | G | Minor 7th |
Chords to play A blues over
The A blues scale fits the main chords of the A minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in A: A7, D7, E7.
Related scales
- Take away the ♭5 and you are back to A minor pentatonic.
- Over a twelve-bar blues in A, players often mix it with A major pentatonic for a sweeter sound.
Questions
What notes are in the A blues scale?
A, C, D, E♭, E, G. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the A blues scale on guitar?
A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every A blues note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to A blues?
Take away the ♭5 and you are back to A minor pentatonic.
More scales
Blues in every key
Other scales from A