Minor pentatonic with added ♭5 “blue note” (1–♭3–4–♭5–5–♭7).
Blues Scale
The Blues Scale evolves from the Minor Pentatonic by adding one extra chromatic passing tone — the flattened fifth (♭5, sometimes called the blue note).
This small addition transforms the clean pentatonic framework into the raw, expressive sound central to blues, rock, funk, and jazz.
Formula (intervals):
1 – ♭3 – 4 – ♭5 – 5 – ♭7 – (1)
Example – A Blues Scale:
A C D E♭ E G A
| Degree | Function | Interval from Tonic | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | 0 | Root / tonal center |
| ♭3 | Minor third | +3 | Defines blues tonality |
| 4 | Subdominant | +5 | Neutral link between tension points |
| ♭5 | Diminished fifth | +6 | “Blue note” – expressive dissonance |
| 5 | Dominant | +7 | Resolution and release |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | +10 | Laid-back cadence tone |
| (1) | Octave | +12 | Completes cycle |
Sound and usage:
- The ♭5 adds tension—players bend or slide through it rather than linger.
- Works over major, minor, or dominant progressions depending on phrasing.
- Forms the vocabulary of electric blues B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and early rock solos (Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page).
- In jazz, it blends naturally with dominant 7 chords for soulful color.
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