F blues scale on guitar
The F blues scale has 6 notes: F, A♭, B♭, B, C and E♭. 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 F 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.
F blues across the neck
Every F blues note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, F. A good place to start: F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from F |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Root |
| ♭3 | A♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | B♭ | Perfect 4th |
| ♭5 | B | Flat 5th |
| 5 | C | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | E♭ | Minor 7th |
Chords to play F blues over
The F blues scale fits the main chords of the F minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in F: F7, B♭7, C7.
Related scales
- Take away the ♭5 and you are back to F minor pentatonic.
- Over a twelve-bar blues in F, players often mix it with F major pentatonic for a sweeter sound.
Questions
What notes are in the F blues scale?
F, A♭, B♭, B, C, E♭. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the F blues scale on guitar?
F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every F blues note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to F blues?
Take away the ♭5 and you are back to F minor pentatonic.
More scales
Blues in every key
Other scales from F