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). It can be transposed into all other keys with the root as point of reference. A blues scale is nothing more than a minor pentatonic scale with an added “blue note” (b5). Blues scales are an essential tool for soloing and improvising on chord changes in a minor key. They are inseparably tied to the blues, but are equally used in rock, soul, funk, pop, etc. This course gives you the opportunity first to take a look at the blues scales on video; then to study them with three practical exercises by playing them first in full length then in broken octaves and finally in various combinations, all the while referring to the corresponding recordings; and lastly to play them along to backing tracks by means of seven licks.