Blues Guitar Scales: Derived From Minor Pentatonic Scale

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By: Mike Hammil

If you have ever wondered how blues guitarists can jam with others in an effortless manner and wanted to get the hang of it all, there is nothing to it other than learning the blues guitar scales which is something that will open your eyes to a whole new world in which improvisation reigns supreme. The Devil’s Note Basically, the blues guitar scales are consequential of the minor pentatonic scale which means that when playing a minor pentatonic, all you need to do to achieve blues guitar scales is to add a flatted fifth note, which makes the scale bluesier and sad and very dark as well. This kind of flatted fifth was called ‘The Devil’s Note’ in medieval times and it was also banned in many kingdoms, though the story today is of course a lot different with many actually preferring it in their music. Furthermore, the blues guitar scales can be played starting with virtually any fret on the guitar and it works equally well with minor, power as well as Dominant seventh chords, and all that you really need to do is to practice the scale in both directions (up and down) and commit it to your memory so that you can perform it without need of using your eyes. Once this has been achieved, you can then experiment with it and create your own licks with just a little bit of musical jugglery. Probably the best way of learning about playing the blues guitar scales, is by listening to your favorite blues and rock bands and thus you should be able to pick up a number of useful ideas and tips on how to improvise and excel at it. You may also want to try your hand at jamming along with a record playing your favorite music and try and try various experiments, because that is the best way to ignite your passion and help you create some very interesting blues of your own. To really get the hang of the blues guitar scales, you could try playing a note that is not in the scale and bend the note and even try sliding it into a note that is in scale, and though this will require a certain amount of experimentation on your part, sooner rather than later you should be able to get the sound right and thus sound like a real professional blues guitarist. And, what’s more, there are many expert guitarists who are always willing to show you the proper way to play the blues, and who will also have written on the subject for others just like you to learn the correct blues guitar scales.