E Blues Scale – Five Different Fingerboard Positions

From a theoretical perspective, the blues is an interesting style of music because it often contains notes which fall outside of diatonic harmony. In particular, the blues scales contains a flattened fifth which occurs one semi-tone (one guitar fret) between the perfect forth and the perfect fifth. The flattened fifth (b5), known as the blue note or ‘worried note’ is often associated with African work songs. The blue note sets it apart from the minor pentatonic which we studied before.

A Natural Minor Scale

1,     2,   b3,   4,          5,   b6,   b7,  8

A,    B,    C,    D,          E,   F,      G,   A

A Pentatonic Minor Scale

1,            b3,   4,          5,              b7,  8

A,            C,     D,          E,              G,    A

A Blues Scale

1,           b3,    4,  b5, 5,               b7,  8

A,            C,     D, Eb, E,                G,    A

E Blues Scale

1,           b3,    4,  b5, 5,               b7,  8

E,            G,     A, Bb, B,                D,    E

When improvising using the blues scale, the b5 is often played as a passing note and not held too long. Electric guitar players use blues scales  to create guitar exciting solos in a number of positions covering the whole fretboard. Below are five different fingerboard positions of the E blues scale for enjoyment and delight. As to what chords to use as a basis for a blues jam, seventh chords played within the 12 bar blues will work just fine.

E Blues Scale – Five Different Fingerboard Positions