Playing Blues Scales

A blues (minor) scale consists of six notes (1 m3 4 b5 5 m7) which are separated from each other by the following intervals: 1½-1-1/2-1/2-1½-1 (Ex. in C: C-Eb-F-Gb-G-Bb). If you transpose it into a different key, the tonic (white circle) will be your point of reference. A blues scale is nothing more than a minor pentatonic scale with an added “blue note” (b5). Especially in blues, of course, but also in rock, funk, soul or pop, blues scales are an essential tool for comping (accompanying) chord progressions/changes in a minor key. This course provides a video of the five positions of the blues scale, two technical exercises to get accustomed to them, and eight grooves and basslines for putting them into practice by playing them along to backing tracks.