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B blues diminished scale on guitar
B blues diminished runs B, C, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, A. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 2 for easy half-step access.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B blues diminished scale on guitar?
B blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, F, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | F, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
B blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the G string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, F, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | F, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, D♯, F |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | F, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, F |
Why it sounds like that
B blues diminished adds a ♭2 to B hungarian major, keeping the same ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7. The scale alternates half and whole steps, creating a tritone between B and F. Compare it with B hungarian major to hear the added minor 2nd.
When to use it
B blues diminished fits B major and B minor chords, adding tension with the ♭2 and ♭5. Use the supplied linked chords to hear its tension without adding unsupported harmony.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 2, covering frets 1–4 and setting up the next position.
Common questions
What notes are in B blues diminished?
B blues diminished contains B, C, D, D♯, F, F♯, G♯, and A. The scale includes both minor and major thirds, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh.
Which chords work with B blues diminished?
B blues diminished works over B major and B minor chords. The scale's ♭2 and ♭5 create tension that resolves to chord tones.
Is B blues diminished the same as B diminished?
B blues diminished is an eight-note scale, not a diminished seventh chord. It combines a blues scale with a half-whole diminished pattern.