Blues scales are an integral component of learning to improvise on bass. Thankfully, they’re straightforward and simple to memorize since they’re based on the pentatonic scale.
Add one “blue” note to any standard pentatonic scale shapes to create a blues scale. Here is an example in A minor, using movable bass scale patterns for each tonic note of this blues scale.
A Minor Blues Scale
Minor blues scale is the go-to blues scale. This six-note scale can often be found over I-IV-V chord progressions and features its signature sound to instantly give any song an authentic blues sound. Furthermore, it is an ideal starting point for beginners as it requires minimal finger dexterity while simultaneously accommodating various forms of music genres.
The minor blues scale is constructed from the minor pentatonic scale with one added note – the flat fifth. This additional blues note gives this scale its distinct sound and sets it apart from other minor pentatonic scales. Though typically overlooked during bass soloing sessions, its melody-inducing potential may help bring out your melodic bass lines more effectively.
Hexatonic blues scale is another variation on the minor blues scale that includes all the same notes but adds a major 6th for an jazzier sound. Also referred to as pentablues scale by some musicians (even though this term doesn’t accurately describe its six notes like its minor blues counterpart does), some musicians prefer calling this form sixtablues scale instead.
These two variations provide a wide array of sounds when playing blues music. While traditional six-note blues scale is an integral component of many genres, more advanced variations may present new musical possibilities for any style.
No matter if you’re a singer, guitarist, or bassist – learning and memorizing blues scales will open up new paths for your music. Although learning music theory might seem tedious at times, implementing these techniques over a repeating 12-bar blues chord progression will create more engaging vocal melodies while giving compositions their own unique sound that sets them apart from similar songs within their genre.
Learning blues scales may be challenging, but the effort will pay off in the end. Memorizing scales allows you to play any tonic note* on the fretboard with an authentic bluesy sound and opens up many creative doors for basslines, licks, and solos.
D-Shaped Blues Scale
Blues scale offers a different sound than minor and major pentatonic scales, and can help to produce some captivating tones. While its shapes resemble those found in minor and major pentatonic scales, its additional note, known as the ‘blue note’ adds tension to your playing and adds real complexity.
As you learn this blues scale, it’s essential that you remember its shapes are flexible. This allows you to move each shape up and down the neck as a means of honing your knowledge of it. Begin practicing each shape on its own by repeating them over and over on the guitar neck until your knowledge of it grows significantly. Make sure not to pause between repetitions of this scale!
Once you have the blues scale shapes mastered, use them in your soloing to add some distinct blues flavor to your playing. Remember to only use the “blue note” occasionally, as overdoing it may create an unpleasant sound in your playing.
As well as using blues scales alone, they can also be combined with other scales for maximum effect. For instance, you could combine A minor blues scale with A major scale to add tension and dissonance into your performance – especially effective if playing over chord progressions with major/minor clashes! It will add an authentic bluesy sound.
The blues scale is an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any bassist. Used frequently in classic blues licks and phrases, learning it will open up your improvisational abilities significantly. So if you haven’t encountered it already, take time out now to familiarize yourself with it – learning this scale will pay dividends down the road as it allows you to craft some truly outstanding solos! Best wishes!
E-Shaped Blues Scale
This scale can be used over major chords and works well when working with blues harmonic progressions. It has an appealing bright sound that blends nicely with many major triads; however, you should not limit yourself solely to this scale as its application could prove limiting at times; experiment with mixing other scales and resources as you gain experience playing over blues improv.
The E-shaped blues scale is a variation on the minor pentatonic scale with an added b5 interval to make it hexatonic; that is, six notes are present per octave instead of five like most major scales do. This adds dissonant tone that was absent in its predecessor – making this scale distinct and enjoyable to play!
It can also be used to solo over dominant and major family chords, and especially blues progression, since its b7 chord is perfect for soloing over dominant 7th chords. Furthermore, this scale can also be useful when playing major triads that contain b7s such as R, 3, 5, or 6 chords.
This scale is one of the most widely-used scales in blues music and can be found in various keys. It can be played over most 12-bar blues progressions and used for improvising. But be wary when using it; too much repetition of its use could become boring over time.
There are multiple approaches to comprehending and appreciating the blues scale. One simple method is viewing it as a pentatonic scale with one extra note added in, commonly known as “blue notes”. These additional notes add distinctive sound qualities that help distinguish you from other players.
Blues scale can be seen as a set of triads with a flat 5th, which are built around the root note of minor pentatonic scale and contain its characteristic flat 5th note. It can be used effectively over most chords but excels when soloed over dominant or major family chords.
G-Shaped Blues Scale
The G-shaped blues scale should be one of the first scales a bassist learns. It’s basically just a slightly modified pentatonic minor scale with one extra note that gives it its characteristic bluesy sound: this flattened fifth is known by various names including flat five, diminished fifth or simply blues note and is what gives this scale its signature sound.
Blues scale isn’t exclusive to blues music; its use spans across genres including jazz and rock music. It is easy to play, has an instantly recognizable sound, and can be used solo over various chord progressions such as classic 12-bar blues.
To master the blues scale, it’s essential that you spend ample time practicing all its shapes up and down the fretboard. This will enable you to memorize each form’s position on the fretboard so you can move it around as necessary for any given key of a song. Practicing ascending and descending lines with blues scale will allow you to play it quickly and smoothly.
As you study the blues scale, it’s essential not to overdo it with additional blues notes. An excessive use can render your scale sounding murky or dissonant; so as you advance try using these sparingly to add that unique bluesy vibe in your solos.
Practice of the blues scale should also include exploring note duration and dynamics. Play each note for various lengths of time while changing intensity (volume). You’ll soon begin to recognize how these factors can alter its overall sound.
Step three is taking the blues scale from technical to improvisational use, using simple yet effective blues scale licks that you can incorporate into your own melodies to embellish them with unique blues scale shapes over a common dominant chord progression. We provide some helpful licks here that may assist with this goal.