The term blues scale is used to describe a few scales with differing numbers of pitches and related characteristics. See: blues.

The hexatonic, or six note, blues scale consists of the minor pentatonic scale plus the ♯4th or ♭5th degree^[1][2][3]. A major feature of the blues scale is the use of blue notes,^[4] however, since blue notes are considered alternative inflections, a blues scale may be considered to not fit the traditional definition of a scale.^[5] At its most basic, a single version of this "blues scale" is commonly used over all changes (or chords) in a twelve bar blues progression.^[6] Likewise, in contemporary jazz theory, its use is commonly based upon the key rather than the individual chord.^[2]

Blues scale as minor pentatonic plus flat-5th/sharp-4th  Play (help·info).

The heptatonic, or seven note, conception of the "blues scale" is as a diatonic scale (a major scale) with lowered third, fifth, and seventh degrees^[7] and blues practice is derived from the "conjunction of 'African scales' and the diatonic western scales".^[8] Steven Smith argues that, "to assign blue notes to a 'blues scale' is a momentous mistake, then, after all, unless we alter the meaning of 'scale'.^[9] Indeed, the A minor pentatonic scale does have many uses.

Blues scale as diatonic scale with lowered 3rd, 5th, and 7th degrees  Play (help·info).

References

External links

• Blues Scale diagrams for guitar mapped out in all positions
• Blues Guitar Lessons - Pentatonic & Blues Scale
• The Jazz Resource How to play on the blues scale
• Slowhand Blues guitar Detailed information on Blues scales
• Blues Scales on Guitar Lesson with blues backing tracks
• Blues Guitar Discussing the theory of the blues and pentatonic scale
• Blues Scale Improvisation Exercise Discussing the values and perils of the blues scale as an improvisational tool