Explore scales · Bass
A blues major scale on bass guitar
A blues major contains A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. Box 1 spans frets 2–5 and keeps the root on string 4, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the A blues major scale on bass?
A blues major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A blues major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 9 | E |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A blues major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A blues major adds a minor 3rd to A major pentatonic. The scale contains a tritone between C and F♯, but no leading tone. Its step pattern is W, H, H, 1½, W, 1½. Compare it with A major pentatonic.
When to use it
A blues major fits A major and A minor chords. Use it over 12-bar blues in A and rock progressions. Try it over A major and A minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 4, fret 5 anchors the low register and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues major?
A blues major contains A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. The scale includes both minor and major 3rds. It has a tritone between C and F♯.
Which chords does A blues major fit?
A blues major fits A major and A minor chords. It also works over B 5th and E 5th. Use it for blues and rock bass lines.
How is A blues major different from A major pentatonic?
A blues major adds a C to A major pentatonic. This creates a minor 3rd alongside the major 3rd. The added note gives a bluesy colour.