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Adding a ”blue note” to the regular Pentatonic scale gives the Pentatonic Blues Scale. These
scales are for obvious reason perfect when playing blues on the piano. The "Major Blues Scale"
is some less common than the "Minor Blues Scale" and therefore we start with minor and you
find the major by scrolling down.
The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music and therefore there’s no satisfying
explanation in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it
sounds when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!
C Pentatonic Blues
D Pentatonic Blues
Notes: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D
E Pentatonic Blues
Notes: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E
F Pentatonic Blues
G Pentatonic Blues
A Pentatonic Blues
Notes: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A
B Pentatonic Blues
Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B
The pentatonic blues scale is built upon three dominant chords. For example in the case of C
pentatonic the three chords is C7 – F7 – G7. We can see the relationship when comparing the
notes in the scale:
So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales? By learning these scales you will get
great tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales are also used in jazz
improvisation). A tip is to use the left hand for a chord and play the notes of the scale with the
right. You can then combine a C blues scale with C7, F7 and G7 chords. In the same way you
can combine a G blues scale with the chords G7, C7 and D7 and so on in different keys.
You can also improvise blues in minor. A nice combination is the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7
together with the A pentatonic blues scale.
Notes: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C
Notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F
Notes: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G