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