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A blues major scale on guitar
A blues major contains A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. Its half-step cluster between C and C♯ sits under the first finger in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the A blues major scale on guitar?
A blues major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2 | E |
| 3 (G) | 2 | A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 2 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A blues major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 5 | C♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A blues major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7 | E |
| 4 (D) | 7 | A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | C, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A blues major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 14 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 10 | F♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A blues major in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
A blues major adds C to A major pentatonic, creating a minor 3rd against A and a minor 2nd against B. The scale keeps the major 3rd C♯, so the two thirds rub a semitone apart. C and F♯ form a diminished 5th, the only tritone in the set.
When to use it
A blues major fits A major and A minor chords, where the two thirds colour the tonic. It also works over B 5th and E 5th for open-string rock lines. Use it in A blues progressions and country-rock fills.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the half-step cluster falls under the first finger.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues major?
A blues major contains A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. The scale has both a minor and major 3rd. It is a six-note blues scale.
Which chords fit A blues major?
A blues major fits A major and A minor chords. It also works over B 5th and E 5th. The scale contains the chord tones of those harmonies.
How does A blues major differ from A major pentatonic?
A blues major adds C to A major pentatonic. The added note creates a minor 3rd against A and a minor 2nd against B. This gives the scale its blues colour.