B Major Blues Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
B Major Blues in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The B Major Blues scale is an extension of the major pentatonic that adds a blue note for extra soul. On Guitar, 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
Tuning: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
About DADGAD Tuning
DADGAD tuning creates an open Dsus4 chord when strummed open, producing a hauntingly beautiful, droning sound that has become synonymous with Celtic folk music and modern acoustic songwriting. The tuning's natural resonance and overtones make even simple fingerpicking patterns sound rich and complex.
Popularized by Davey Graham in the 1960s and later championed by Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page, DADGAD has become one of the most beloved alternate tunings for acoustic guitarists. Its suspended quality — neither clearly major nor minor — creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere that invites exploration. The tuning excels at creating drone-based arrangements where open strings ring against fretted notes.
Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber
Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions
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.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting