B Minor Blues
Bass scale — fretboard diagramBeginner
B Minor Blues Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Minor Blues scale is the definitive scale of the blues tradition. On Bass, it contains the notes B, D, E, F, F#, A. By adding a chromatic tension note to the minor pentatonic, it creates the dirty and expressive grit associated with Chicago and Delta blues, essential for any player looking to add emotional bite to their solos. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B. Notable players include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy. Use over minor chords and dominant 7th chords in blues. The b5 is a passing tone — linger on it for tension, resolve to 4 or 5.
Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6
Formula: WH-W-H-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: blues
Musical Character
The b5 'blue note' between the 4th and 5th creates the most expressive chromatic passage in blues. Bending from b5 to 5 is the single most iconic sound in guitar music.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B
Notable players: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy
How to Use the B Minor Blues Scale
Use over minor chords and dominant 7th chords in blues. The b5 is a passing tone — linger on it for tension, resolve to 4 or 5.
Origin & Background
The definitive scale of Delta, Chicago, and electric blues. Codified by players like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King.
Related Scales
Minor Blues is the Minor pentatonic with added b5 blue note. View B Minor pentatonic scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – IV – V (Rock & Folk Classic)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- bVI – bVII – I (Mario Cadence)World / Game Music — Triumph & Victory
- I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V (12 Bar Blues)Blues — Grit & Soul
- i – iv – i – V (Minor Blues)Blues — Melancholy
- I – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
The B Minor Blues scale contains 6 notes (B, D, E, F, F#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.