B Major Blues
Bass scale — fretboard diagramBeginner
B Major Blues Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Major Blues scale is an extension of the major pentatonic that adds a blue note for extra soul. On Bass, the notes are B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#. It blends the happy character of major keys with the expressive, vocal-like slides of the blues, and is a staple in country, swing, and jazz-blues contexts. Commonly used in Blues, Country, Jazz, Swing, Southern Rock. Notable players include B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King. Use over major and dominant 7th chords in blues, country, and swing contexts. Mix with minor blues for complete blues vocabulary.
Notes: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 5P, 6M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6
Formula: W-H-H-WH-W-WH
Number of notes: 6
Musical Character
Adds a 'blue note' (b3) to the major pentatonic, creating a brief clash between major and minor that gives the blues its characteristic sweet-and-sour emotional pull.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Blues, Country, Jazz, Swing, Southern Rock
Notable players: B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King
How to Use the B Major Blues Scale
Use over major and dominant 7th chords in blues, country, and swing contexts. Mix with minor blues for complete blues vocabulary.
Origin & Background
Emerged from African American musical traditions. The blue note represents the microtonal bending between major and minor thirds.
Related Scales
Major Blues is the Major pentatonic with added b3 blue note. View B Major pentatonic scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting
The B Major Blues scale contains 6 notes (B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.