Also written Blues
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 2 and covers frets 2–5.
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.
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.
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 2, and the range covers frets 2–5 for easy access to the ♭5.
F♯ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 2 and the D string at fret 4.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
F♯ 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 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 9 | E |
F♯ blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 3 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
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♯. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.
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♯.