Explore scales · Guitar
A blues minor scale on guitar
A blues minor uses A, C, D, E♭, E, and G. Box 1 keeps the root under your first finger at the 5th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the A blues minor scale on guitar?
A blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. 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, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 1, 2 | D, E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 5 | C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 5 | D, E♭, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 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, 8 | A, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6, 7 | D, E♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10 | G |
| 4 (D) | 10 | C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 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) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 13 | A, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 12 | D, E♭, E |
Why it sounds like that
A blues minor adds a ♭5 to the A minor pentatonic scale. The ♭5 sits between the 4 and 5, creating the signature blue note. This six-note scale is built 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. Compare it with the A minor pentatonic to hear the added tension.
When to use it
A blues minor fits A minor and A 5th chords. Use it over a 12-bar blues in A or a minor funk vamp. The ♭5 works as a passing tone into E or D. Try it with A minor or A 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the shape covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues minor?
A blues minor contains A, C, D, E♭, E, and G. The E♭ is the blue note added to the minor pentatonic. This scale has six notes.
Which chords fit A blues minor?
A blues minor fits A minor and A 5th chords. The ♭5 can also pass over D 5th. Use it in blues progressions in A.
How does A blues minor differ from A minor pentatonic?
A blues minor adds E♭ as the ♭5 to A minor pentatonic. The ♭5 creates the bluesy tension between D and E. This is the only difference between the two scales.