Explore scales · Bass
B♭ blues minor scale on bass guitar
B♭ blues minor runs B♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, A♭ with a 1½, W, H, H, 1½, W step pattern. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 1 and covers frets 0–3.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ blues minor scale on bass?
B♭ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♭ on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1 | F♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 1 | B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2, 3 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to F♭ on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 9 | B♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B♭ blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 13 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 1 (G) | 13 | A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ blues minor adds the ♭5 (F♭) to B♭ minor pentatonic, creating the six-note blues scale. The ♭5 sits between the 4 (E♭) and 5 (F) as a passing tone. This scale is a minor pentatonic with one chromatic addition, not a mode of the major scale.
When to use it
B♭ blues minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords in blues, rock, and funk. Use it over B♭ minor progressions when the ♭5 adds tension. The scale also works over C♯ major for a bluesy colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 1, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the ♭5.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ blues minor?
B♭ blues minor contains B♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, and A♭. The F♭ is the ♭5, also called the blue note. The scale spans one octave from B♭ to B♭. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ blues minor fit?
B♭ blues minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The ♭5 creates tension that resolves to the 4 or 5. Use it over dominant seventh chords for a blues sound.
How does B♭ blues minor differ from B♭ minor pentatonic?
B♭ blues minor adds the ♭5 (F♭) to B♭ minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues scale has six. The extra note is a passing tone between E♭ and F.