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 3–6 with roots on string 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 3.
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 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | C, D♭, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 10 | C, D♭, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10 | F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ blues major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 13 | D, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 13 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11, 12 | C, D♭, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | 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 1 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. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.