The Blues Scale

Lesson 2/58 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Funk and R&B Guitar Method

The Blues Scale

There are several scales used in Funk, the most popular being the Blues scale. The Blues scale is similar to the minor pentatonic scale, which was introduced in lesson 1. The following diagram shows the minor pentatonic scale in the key of E.

The Blues scale contains one new note – the flattened 5th degree ( b5). If you add this note to the minor pentatonic scale, you get the Blues scale.

Like chords, scales can be linked to the five basic forms – C form, A form, G form, E form and D form. Also like chords, the name of the form is determined by the position of the root notes or keynotes. Here is the E form of the Blues scale in the key of E.

Run through the fingering of the Blues scale until you are comfortable with it.

Here are some licks to help you become familiar with the Blues scale.

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Class Sessions

1- More on Sixteenth Notes 2- Staccato 3- The Trail Off 4- Funk Riffs 5- Chords and Rhythms 6- Basic Chords 7- Basic Rhythms 8- Sixteenth Notes and Rests 9- Eighth Notes 10- Learning the Notes 11- Vibrato 12- Chord Forms 13- LESSON FIFTEEN 14- Learning the Keys 15- More on 7th Chords 16- Rests and Ties 17- Sixteenth Notes 18- The Blues Scale 19- Funky Rhythms, Riffs and Chords 20- New Funk Riffs 21- INTRODUCTION 22- Appendices 23- LESSON THIRTY ONE 24- LESSON THIRTY 25- Combing Riffs and Chords 26- New Chords 27- Sliding Chords 28- The 9th Chord 29- More Blues Scales 30- Basic Techniques 31- The Pentatonic Scale 32- Right Hand Technique 33- Left Hand Technique 34- The Slide 35- Bending Notes 36- The Release Bend 37- Tuning Your Guitar 38- Call and Response 39- Tuning 40- Ties 41- Notes on the Guitar Fretboard 42- Note and Rest Values 43- The Whip 44- Muting 45- Ties Across the Bar Line 46- Keys and Key Signatures 47- Chord Diagrams 48- Relative Keys 49- Easy Read Rhythm Notation 50- Chord Symbols 51- Fretboard Diagrams 52- Tablature 53- Tablature Symbols 54- Electric Guitars 55- Amplifiers 56- Technique 57- Approach to Practice 58- Practice Position

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The Blues Scale

The Blues Scale

Peter Gelling

Class Sessions

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