Learning the blues scale is a popular technique across several genres and learning it will broaden your improvisational capabilities.
The blues scale is based on minor pentatonic, with an extra flat 5th added in to give your solos that iconic blues sound.
It’s based on the minor pentatonic
The blues scale is an easy-to-remember symmetrical form that’s great for creating blues and rock licks. Additionally, its use adds some additional chromatic notes that add depth and variety to your playing, providing additional opportunities to vary your sound while adding variety and interest.
Based on the minor pentatonic scale, this scale only differs by adding one additional note – known as the flattened 5th degree or “blues note”. This unique and evocative blues tone distinguishes it from standard pentatonic scales and thus leads to it often being known by its original name of “pentatonic scales”.
Before beginning to play the blues scale on g guitar, there are a few essential steps you must take. First, familiarize yourself with the 5 shapes that comprise a minor pentatonic scale (see below for a full list), before beginning your exploration by connecting different positions to create interesting and varied licks.
Blues scale can also help you solo over various chord progressions, making it particularly helpful if you are performing in a minor key and want to solo and improvise over its associated minor pentatonic scale.
If you want a smoother sound in your improvisation, playing the blues scale over major chords may be more suitable as there are certain notes within it that may sound harsh or dissonant when played over major chords.
As an example, playing a note at the 8th fret of G string (in the first shape of A minor blues scale) over an A minor chord can result in an unpleasant sounding soundscape.
As well as playing blues scale over major or maj7 chords, another option for adding smoothness and harmony in your playing is using blues scales over major chords or minor chords. This will produce an easier sound while creating a more harmonious tone overall.
It’s dissonant
The blues scale is a variation on the pentatonic scale that intentionally adds dissonance and tension – it forms the backbone of blues music, but is also popular across other genres such as jazz and rock music.
The Blues Scale is an easy and accessible way to add blues style into your songs, and is frequently utilized by students of improvisation. While easy to play, mastery requires practice – making your solos sound much more authentic!
There are various approaches you can take when applying the blues scale in g guitar. Here are a few key takeaways:
Before beginning to play the scale, be sure to have an ideal in mind of how it should sound! Once this picture is formed in your mind, selecting appropriate notes and creating the desired sound should become easier.
Second, ensure that you comprehend the difference between minor and major blues scales. A minor blues scale consists of six notes with an extra note (called a “blue note”) added that can be played on either the 5th, 4th or 3rd strings – giving it its distinct blues sound.
Thirdly, experiment with note duration and dynamics to see how they alter the overall sound of your scale. Longer notes tend to produce an old-time blues riff feel while shorter ones produce a funkier sound that pulses more pulsately.
4. Finally, be sure to explore and mix it up with different scales and resources from this book in order to create your own musical identity when performing live! Doing this will allow for you to form the strongest possible musical performances!
Try playing a blues scale over a chord progression to gain a better understanding of its operation and build your improvisation skills, while expanding your musical horizons by exploring various chords – this will prove particularly helpful when jamming with other musicians!
It’s easy to play
The blues scale is an invaluable tool for any guitarist who wishes to craft original licks and solos on the guitar. Used across genres like jazz, country and swing music – make sure you familiarize yourself with it before embarking on jam sessions!
The blues scale is comprised of the minor pentatonic scale with an added non-keyed note – often written as 5 or 4. Although this additional note can create an unpleasant sound, it has also become an integral component of many popular guitar songs.
Learning piano is straightforward and can help you improvise on a wide range of chord progressions. Plus, it strengthens your ear development and serves as an indispensable skill in songwriting.
To play the G major blues scale, start by positioning your right hand with its thumb on the G string. Move up until your fourth finger hits D flat, cross over, and play up until reaching back down to G string again – repeat for each note in succession.
As you master the blues scale, you’ll soon discover it to be an effective means of creating tension in your playing. This skill is critical in mastering blues music – one of the most dissonant forms.
Many notable guitarists employ the blues scale when improvising over songs of various genres, and combine it with other scales and fingering techniques to craft distinctive phrases that stand out.
Blues scale can be played in any key, so the most efficient way to learn it would be beginning in one where you feel most at home. That way, more likely than not you will succeed with playing it correctly!
Learning the blues scale can be both enjoyable and satisfying for guitarists of any level, particularly beginners. It is easy to pick up and can open up an exciting array of playing possibilities.
Blues scale knowledge is an essential skill for any guitarist, and learning it is easy. Not only will it add another aspect to your practice routine and boost improvisational abilities; but it can also serve as a stepping-stone towards more advanced techniques like microtonal bends and blue notes.
It’s a good starting point
The blues scale provides a wonderful starting point for any guitarist. Its easy-to-remember pattern and ability to be played in many keys makes it an invaluable tool for improvisation and soloing across many genres of music.
The major blues scale is derived from the minor pentatonic scale, but adds an additional note for its own distinct bluesy sound. This additional note, known as b3 of key in musical terminology, adds its signature bluesy tone that resonates across a range of musical genres.
One of the easiest ways to learn the blues scale is to begin with an open string pattern. This makes it easier for your fingers to adapt quickly when changes come about and gives more room for creativity and improvisation.
An alternative way of playing the blues scale is focusing on note duration and dynamics. Experiment with how long you hold each note out for, as well as their volume level; this will help develop a deeper sense of melody and phrasing within your scale.
Once you’ve mastered the basic blues scale pattern, you can begin working on longer lines by linking multiple patterns together and thus expanding beyond single fretboard positions.
As you practice playing the blues scale, experiment with linking it with other guitar techniques such as hammer-ons and pull-offs to expand your playing options and develop intricate licks for solo performances. This will increase your options as a guitarist.
Experiment with different fingering techniques when learning the blues scale – particularly important if you are new to guitar!
To play the blues scale, it is necessary to understand how to utilize your index, middle and ring fingers. Your index finger will be responsible for playing root notes while middle and ring fingers will cover remaining notes of scale.