Scale
Blues scale
Minor pentatonic with an added b5, the blue note. The single most recognizable lead vocabulary in blues and rock.
01Fretboard
Positions on the neck
Position 1 / frets 0 - 4
Intervals
- 1
- b3
- 4
- b5
- 5
- b7
Example in C
C Eb F Gb G Bb
Used in
- Blues
- Rock
- Funk
- R and B
02Interactive
Play This Scale
Interactive
Play This Scale
Watch the notes light up in the order you should play them across the fretboard.
Key
Position
Display
Intervals in this scale
- 1Root
- b3Minor third
- 4Perfect fourth
- b5Tritone
- 5Perfect fifth
- b7Minor seventh
Practice tip
Start slowly. Listen to how the root and characteristic intervals define the sound of the scale.
Show full note sequence
- 1. E (String 6, Fret 0)
- 2. G (String 6, Fret 3)
- 3. A (String 6, Fret 5)
- 4. A (String 5, Fret 0)
- 5. C (String 5, Fret 3)
- 6. D (String 5, Fret 5)
- 7. D (String 4, Fret 0)
- 8. D# (String 4, Fret 1)
- 9. E (String 4, Fret 2)
- 10. G (String 4, Fret 5)
- 11. G (String 3, Fret 0)
- 12. A (String 3, Fret 2)
- 13. C (String 3, Fret 5)
- 14. C (String 2, Fret 1)
- 15. D (String 2, Fret 3)
- 16. D# (String 2, Fret 4)
- 17. E (String 2, Fret 5)
- 18. E (String 1, Fret 0)
- 19. G (String 1, Fret 3)
- 20. A (String 1, Fret 5)
03Progressions
Common progressions in this scale
Pop
I V vi IV
C G Am F
Optimistic, instantly familiar.
Blues
I IV V
A D E
Twelve bar blues, the foundation of rock.
Modal
i bVII bVI
Am G F
Cinematic, used in many film themes.
Preview
04Practice
Exercises to internalize this scale
Three notes per string
Run the shape up and down using strict alternate picking.
10 minutes
Target tones
Land on the root or third of the underlying chord on beat one.
10 minutes
Phrasing motifs
Pick a three note motif and develop it across two octaves.
10 minutes
05Related
Related scales
Practice this scale every day
Take this scale into your daily practice
Use POLPROG companion apps to repeat the phrase, slow it down and structure your sessions until the scale is in your fingers.
Practice app by POLPROG
RiffMentor
Your Personal Practice Coach
A virtual music practice coach built by POLPROG. Get structured sessions, personal recommendations and consistency tools that keep your hands on the instrument.
Open app pageBrowser extension by POLPROG
LoopIt
Loop, Slow Down and Master Any Video Phrase
A browser extension by POLPROG that lets musicians loop any video segment with precision and slow it down for focused practice.
Open app page