Explore scales · Guitar
D blues major scale on guitar
D blues major contains D, E, F, F♯, A, and B. The root on string 5, fret 5 puts Box 1 in a comfortable mid-neck position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the D blues major scale on guitar?
D blues major 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 D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
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
D blues major 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 5 and the B string at fret 3.
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
D 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 B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G 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
D 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 D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the G string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 10.
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
D blues major 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 low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
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
D blues major adds F to D major pentatonic, producing a minor 3rd against D and a minor 2nd against E. The major 3rd F♯ remains, so F and F♯ clash a semitone apart. F and B form a diminished 5th, the scale's only tritone.
When to use it
D blues major fits D major and D minor chords, covering both thirds. It also works over E 5th and A 5th for open-string rock lines. Use it in D blues and country-rock fills.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 5, fret 5, and the pattern covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in D blues major?
D blues major contains D, E, F, F♯, A, and B. The scale has both a minor and major 3rd. It is a six-note blues scale.
Which chords fit D blues major?
D blues major fits D major and D minor chords. It also works over E 5th and A 5th. The scale contains the chord tones of those harmonies.
How does D blues major differ from D major pentatonic?
D blues major adds F to D major pentatonic. The added note creates a minor 3rd against D and a minor 2nd against E. This gives the scale its blues colour.