Explore scales · Bass
E blues minor scale on bass guitar
E blues minor runs E, G, A, B♭, B, D with a 1½, W, H, H, 1½, W step pattern. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 7 and covers frets 0–3.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E blues minor scale on bass?
E blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 2 | A, B♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7 | D |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 3 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, B |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
E blues minor adds the ♭5 (B♭) to E minor pentatonic, creating the six-note blues scale. The ♭5 sits between the 4 (A) and 5 (B) 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
E blues minor fits E minor and E 5th chords in blues, rock, and funk. Use it over E minor progressions when the ♭5 adds tension. The scale also works over G major for a bluesy colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 3, fret 7, and the range covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the ♭5.
Common questions
What notes are in E blues minor?
E blues minor contains E, G, A, B♭, B, and D. The B♭ is the ♭5, also called the blue note. The scale spans one octave from E to E.
Which chords does E blues minor fit?
E blues minor fits E minor and E 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 E blues minor differ from E minor pentatonic?
E blues minor adds the ♭5 (B♭) to E minor pentatonic. The pentatonic has five notes; the blues scale has six. The extra note is a passing tone between A and B.