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B blues minor scale on guitar
B blues minor uses B, D, E, F, F♯, and A. Box 3 keeps the root on string 4, fret 9 for a high-register run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B blues minor scale on guitar?
B blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 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 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 2 | A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 2 | E, F, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 13 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 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) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3, 4 | E, F, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B blues minor 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 B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 7 | A |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 7 | E, F, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B blues minor 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 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, 10 | B, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, F |
| 2 (B) | 7, 10 | F♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 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, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 12 | A |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | F, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
B blues minor derives from B minor pentatonic by adding F as the ♭5. The blue note sits between E and F♯. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. Compare with B minor pentatonic to isolate the added note.
When to use it
B blues minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. Use it in a B blues or a hard rock riff. The ♭5 adds a dark edge to the minor pentatonic. Try it with B minor or B 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root is on string 6, fret 7, and the shape covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in B blues minor?
B blues minor contains B, D, E, F, F♯, and A. F is the blue note. This scale has six notes.
Which chords fit B blues minor?
B blues minor fits B minor and B 5th chords. It also works over E 5th in a blues progression. Use it in B blues.
How is B blues minor constructed?
B blues minor is built from B minor pentatonic by adding F as the ♭5. The ♭5 sits between the 4 and 5 degrees. This creates the bluesy tension.