Explore scales · Bass
C blues major scale on bass guitar
C blues major contains C, D, E♭, E, G, and A. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 with roots on string 3, fret 3 and string 1, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the C blues major scale on bass?
C blues major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C blues major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 8 | A, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C 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 D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12 | G |
Why it sounds like that
C blues major adds a minor 3rd to C major pentatonic. The scale contains a tritone between E♭ and A, but no leading tone. Its step pattern is W, H, H, 1½, W, 1½. Compare it with C major pentatonic.
When to use it
C blues major fits C major and C minor chords. Use it over 12-bar blues in C and rock progressions. Try it over C major and C minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 3, fret 3 keeps the scale low and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C blues major?
C blues major contains C, D, E♭, E, G, and A. The scale includes both minor and major 3rds. It has a tritone between E♭ and A.
Which chords does C blues major fit?
C blues major fits C major and C minor chords. It also works over D 5th and G 5th. Use it for blues and rock bass lines.
How is C blues major different from C major pentatonic?
C blues major adds an E♭ to C major pentatonic. This creates a minor 3rd alongside the major 3rd. The added note gives a bluesy colour.