Explore scales · Bass
C blues minor scale on bass guitar
C blues minor runs C, E♭, F, G♭, G, B♭ with a 1½, W, H, H, 1½, W step pattern. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 1–4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the C blues minor scale on bass?
C blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3 | B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 4, 5 | F, G♭, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | F, G♭, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C blues minor adds the ♭5 (G♭) to C minor pentatonic, creating the six-note blues scale. The ♭5 sits between the 4 (F) and 5 (G) 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
C blues minor fits C minor and C 5th chords in blues, rock, and funk. Use it over C minor progressions when the ♭5 adds tension. The scale also works over E♭ major for a bluesy colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 3, and the range covers frets 1–4 for easy access to the ♭5.
Common questions
What notes are in C blues minor?
C blues minor contains C, E♭, F, G♭, G, and B♭. The G♭ is the ♭5, also called the blue note. The scale spans one octave from C to C.
Which chords does C blues minor fit?
C blues minor fits C minor and C 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 C blues minor differ from C minor pentatonic?
C blues minor adds the ♭5 (G♭) to C minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues scale has six. The extra note is a passing tone between F and G.