Blues music is the heart and soul of many genres, from rock and jazz to soul and funk. It’s a style rich with emotion and history, often telling stories of struggle and triumph. Understanding blues guitar scales is essential to capturing that feel, and knowing how to play over blues progressions can elevate your guitar playing to new heights. In this article, we'll explore the key blues guitar scales, how to use them over classic progressions, and how to superimpose pentatonic scales to add depth to your solos. Along the way, we’ll share stories of legendary blues guitarists whose mastery of these scales changed the course of music history.
The Basics of Blues Guitar Scales
Blues guitar scales are the building blocks of solos and improvisation. The two most essential scales for blues guitarists are the minor pentatonic scale and the blues scale. Let’s break down these guitar scales and learn how they contribute to the classic blues sound.
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The Minor Pentatonic Scale
The minor pentatonic scale is the go-to scale for many guitarists due to its simplicity and versatility. In the key of A, the minor pentatonic scale is:
e|---5---8---
B|---5---8---
G|---5---7---
D|---5---7---
A|---5---7---
E|---5---8---
This scale consists of five notes: A, C, D, E, and G. It’s the backbone of countless iconic riffs and solos in blues and rock.
Blues Legend: B.B. King and the Pentatonic Scale
B.B. King, the legendary "King of the Blues," was known for his expressive use of the minor pentatonic scale. His unique phrasing and melodic sense made his solos instantly recognizable. One of his most famous licks, often referred to as the "B.B. Box," revolves around the top of the minor pentatonic scale in positions like these:
e|---10---13---
B|---10---13---
G|---12--------
D|-------------
A|-------------
E|-------------
King used this box to create phrases that sang like a human voice. His ability to make simple scales sound profound is a testament to the emotional power of the pentatonic scale.
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The Blues Scale
The blues scale adds a distinctive "blue note" (the flat fifth) to the minor pentatonic scale, giving it that characteristic bluesy sound. In A, the blues scale looks like this:
e|---5---8---
B|---5---8---
G|---5---6---7---
D|---5---7---
A|---5---6---7---
E|---5---8---
The added b5 note (6th fret on the G string) is what gives the blues scale its signature tension and release.
Blues Legend: Albert King and the Blues Scale
Albert King, another master of the blues, was famous for his aggressive and soulful bending of the blues scale notes. His style was influential to many guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. King often used wide bends and the flat fifth to create a powerful, vocal-like quality in his playing.
In songs like "Born Under a Bad Sign," King used the blues scale to craft memorable licks and solos that are still studied by guitarists today. His playing was a perfect example of how the right notes, combined with the right feel, can create unforgettable music.
Playing Over a Blues Progression
Blues progressions typically follow a 12-bar structure, using the I, IV, and V chords of the key. For example, in the key of A, the progression would be:
- A7 (I) Chord: 4 bars
- D7 (IV) Chord: 2 bars
- A7 (I) Chord: 2 bars
- E7 (V) Chord: 1 bar
- D7 (IV) Chord: 1 bar
- A7 (I) Chord: 1 bar
- E7 (V) Chord: 1 bar
Using the Minor Pentatonic Over a Blues Progression
The A minor pentatonic scale works well over all three chords in this progression. Here’s a basic lick to get you started:
e|-------5----8--5----8--|
B|----5-----5----8-----5-|
G|--7--------------------|
D|-----------------------|
A|-----------------------|
E|-----------------------|
This simple lick fits over the entire 12-bar blues progression, but to add more depth, let’s explore how to blend the major and minor pentatonic scales.
Mixing Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales
Blending the minor and major pentatonic scales is a technique used by many blues legends to add variety and expression to their solos. The major pentatonic scale has a more upbeat, positive sound compared to the darker, more intense minor pentatonic scale.
A Major Pentatonic Scale:
e|---5---7---
B|---5---7---
G|---4---6---
D|---4---7---
A|---5---7---
E|---5---7---
Try using the major pentatonic scale over the I chord (A7) and switch back to the minor pentatonic over the IV (D7) and V (E7) chords.
Example Lick Blending Major and Minor Pentatonic:
e|------5---7----5---7-|
B|---5----7----5----8--|
G|-6--------7----------|
D|---------------------|
A|---------------------|
E|---------------------|
Blues Legend: Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Blend of Major and Minor
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a master of mixing major and minor pentatonic scales. In his classic song "Pride and Joy," Vaughan seamlessly switches between these scales, creating a playful and dynamic sound. His ability to use both scales fluidly allowed him to inject his solos with a unique blend of emotion and technical prowess, making his style both powerful and highly expressive.
Superimposing Pentatonic Scales Over Chords
Superimposing different pentatonic scales over each chord in a progression can add complexity and interest to your solos. Here’s how you can use different pentatonic scales over the I, IV, and V chords in a blues progression.
Over the I Chord (A7):
-
Use the A minor pentatonic scale.
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Use the A major pentatonic scale for a brighter sound.
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Superimpose the C minor pentatonic scale for a jazzy feel.
Over the IV Chord (D7):
- Use the D minor pentatonic scale.
- Use the A minor pentatonic scale (it fits all chords).
- Superimpose the F minor pentatonic scale for added tension.
Over the V Chord (E7):
- Use the E minor pentatonic scale.
- Use the A minor pentatonic scale.
- Superimpose the G minor pentatonic scale for a jazzier sound.
Blues Legend: Freddie King’s Superimposed Scales
Freddie King, often referred to as the "Texas Cannonball," was known for his fiery solos and innovative use of scales. King frequently superimposed pentatonic scales over the chords in his songs, creating a sound that was both complex and powerful. His ability to blend different scales over a single chord gave his solos a rich, multi-layered quality that set him apart from other blues guitarists of his time.
Exploring Blues Techniques
Blues guitar is not just about the notes you play but also how you play them. Here are some essential techniques to incorporate into your blues solos.
Bending
Bending is one of the most expressive techniques in blues guitar. It’s used to raise the pitch of a note, mimicking the sound of a human voice crying or wailing.
Example Bending Lick:
e|-------5b7-----|
B|---5h7----5----|
G|---------------|
D|---------------|
A|---------------|
E|---------------|
Blues Legend: Buddy Guy’s Expressive Bends
Buddy Guy is a living legend known for his wild, expressive playing. His use of wide, dramatic bends is a key feature of his sound. In performances, Buddy often bends a single note, holding it as he walks the stage, connecting emotionally with the audience through the power of a single, sustained bend. His use of bending makes every note count, conveying deep emotion and intensity.
Vibrato
Vibrato is the rapid oscillation of a note’s pitch, adding a quivering quality to the sound. It’s like the guitarist’s fingerprint—every player has a unique vibrato.
Example Vibrato Lick:
e|------8~----|
B|------------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|————————————|
Blues Legend: B.B. King’s Signature Vibrato
B.B. King’s vibrato, often called "the butterfly vibrato," is one of the most recognizable in blues history. He would often apply vibrato by moving his entire wrist, creating a smooth and controlled wavering of the note. This technique gave his solos a singing quality, and it’s something that countless guitarists have tried to emulate but few have mastered.
Slides
Sliding between notes adds a smooth, flowing quality to your playing. It’s especially effective for connecting phrases and creating a sense of movement
Mastering blues guitar scales and techniques is more than just learning patterns on the fretboard; it’s about expressing yourself and telling a story through your instrument. From the soulful bends of B.B. King to the fiery superimposed scales of Freddie King, each blues guitarist has contributed their unique voice to this rich musical tradition. By understanding the foundational scales like the minor pentatonic and blues scale, and incorporating techniques such as bending, vibrato, and sliding, you can start crafting solos that resonate with emotion and energy.
Whether you're playing over a classic 12-bar blues progression or experimenting with blending major and minor pentatonics, the key is to find your own voice. Practice the techniques and scales discussed here, listen to the masters, and don't be afraid to add your own flair to the music. The blues is about storytelling, and with every bend, slide, and note, you're sharing a piece of your story. Keep exploring, keep playing, and let the blues guide you to new musical heights.
Justin Comstock, Host of the Guitar Freaks Podcast
Justin is a Blues guitarist from Utah. He created a guitar learning tool called the FretDeck on Kickstarter that has helped many guitar players master the fretboard. He is also the host of the Guitar Freaks Podcast.
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