Explore scales · Bass
B blues major scale on bass guitar
B blues major contains B, C♯, D, D♯, F♯, and G♯. Box 1 spans frets 4–7 with roots on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the B blues major scale on bass?
B blues major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | G♯, B |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B blues major in box 4 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 D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 11 | F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B blues major in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 14 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | G♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12, 13 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B blues major adds a minor 3rd to B major pentatonic. The scale contains a tritone between D and G♯, but no leading tone. Its step pattern is W, H, H, 1½, W, 1½. Compare it with B major pentatonic.
When to use it
B blues major fits B major and B minor chords. Use it over 12-bar blues in B and rock progressions. Try it over B major and B minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 3, fret 2 keeps the scale low and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B blues major?
B blues major contains B, C♯, D, D♯, F♯, and G♯. The scale includes both minor and major 3rds. It has a tritone between D and G♯.
Which chords does B blues major fit?
B blues major fits B major and B minor chords. It also works over C♯ 5th and F♯ 5th. Use it for blues and rock bass lines.
How is B blues major different from B major pentatonic?
B blues major adds a D to B major pentatonic. This creates a minor 3rd alongside the major 3rd. The added note gives a bluesy colour.