Blues Guitar Scales : Which Ones And Where To Use
It is important to understand what scale is appropriate or available when soloing over a blues progression. The most common blues is a I, IV, V progression or a twelve bar blues. These progressions tend to contain the same types of chords, usually all of them being seventh chords, major or minor chords. The most common of these arrangements contains only seventh chords.
A twelve bar blues containing only seventh chords will not have a particular scale that will match it musically. One way to approach this is to play the mixolydian mode over the I chord in the key of the I chord. Over the IV chord we could also play the corresponding mixolydian mode and the same with the V chord. Matching different scales to the different chords is one approach to solo over this type of progression. It will give the solo a bright sound, by way of the major third coming through.
When a blues progression is composed of entitely major chords, it is best to use the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode. The major pentatonic scale would also work well in this example. Both scales contain the notes which match these major chords perfectly.
A blues progression can be constructed with entirely minor chords. In this case use the natural minor scale to solo with. This scale will fit perfectly over this progression, because the chords contain the exact same notes as the corresponding scale.
What I would like to do now is explain the most common blues guitar scale and when it is best suited. This scale is simply called the blues scale and it is the minor pentatonic scale with a flat 5 added to it - R, flat 3, 4, flat 5, 5 and flat 7. Now remember I mentioned that the most common blues progression is constructed entirely with seventh chords(R,3, 5,flat7). This is the scale of choice to play over this type of progression. So you might be wondering why this scale has a flat 3 or minor 3rd in it - it doesn't make musical sense using a minor 3rd over a major 3rd! Well, put simply this is what gives the blues such a distinctive sound - the flat 5 also gives this "bluesy" sound.
I hope you're not too confused by now! So, to find a scale to solo over a typical blues progression, typically a I, IV, V chord progression, firstly look at the I chord. If it is a seventh chord, you could match each chord with the mixolydian mode in three different keys. You could also just use the minor pentatonic scale or the blues scale in the key of the I chord. For example if the I chord is a B seventh, you would use the B blues or minor pentatonic scale. If it is a B major or B minor as the I chord you would use the B major and the B minor scales respectively. You could also just use the B blues scale over these two progressions as well, or a combination. When playing the blues you have many options available to you, so have some fun and experiment with these various blues guitar scales.
A twelve bar blues containing only seventh chords will not have a particular scale that will match it musically. One way to approach this is to play the mixolydian mode over the I chord in the key of the I chord. Over the IV chord we could also play the corresponding mixolydian mode and the same with the V chord. Matching different scales to the different chords is one approach to solo over this type of progression. It will give the solo a bright sound, by way of the major third coming through.
When a blues progression is composed of entitely major chords, it is best to use the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode. The major pentatonic scale would also work well in this example. Both scales contain the notes which match these major chords perfectly.
A blues progression can be constructed with entirely minor chords. In this case use the natural minor scale to solo with. This scale will fit perfectly over this progression, because the chords contain the exact same notes as the corresponding scale.
What I would like to do now is explain the most common blues guitar scale and when it is best suited. This scale is simply called the blues scale and it is the minor pentatonic scale with a flat 5 added to it - R, flat 3, 4, flat 5, 5 and flat 7. Now remember I mentioned that the most common blues progression is constructed entirely with seventh chords(R,3, 5,flat7). This is the scale of choice to play over this type of progression. So you might be wondering why this scale has a flat 3 or minor 3rd in it - it doesn't make musical sense using a minor 3rd over a major 3rd! Well, put simply this is what gives the blues such a distinctive sound - the flat 5 also gives this "bluesy" sound.
I hope you're not too confused by now! So, to find a scale to solo over a typical blues progression, typically a I, IV, V chord progression, firstly look at the I chord. If it is a seventh chord, you could match each chord with the mixolydian mode in three different keys. You could also just use the minor pentatonic scale or the blues scale in the key of the I chord. For example if the I chord is a B seventh, you would use the B blues or minor pentatonic scale. If it is a B major or B minor as the I chord you would use the B major and the B minor scales respectively. You could also just use the B blues scale over these two progressions as well, or a combination. When playing the blues you have many options available to you, so have some fun and experiment with these various blues guitar scales.
About the Author:
Clause N Dillon has been learning and playing music for over twenty years. He has recently released an easy to follow guitar scales and soloing E Book which will allow any guitar player to learn lead guitar and soloing. For a limited time we have arranged for our valued readers to receive a free copy by clicking the blue link. Learn Guitar Scales, Blues Guitar Scales
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