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