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D blues minor scale on guitar
D blues minor uses D, F, G, A♭, A, and C. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 5 for an easy open-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the D blues minor scale on guitar?
D blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3 | C |
| 4 (D) | 3 | F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | A♭, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 14 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 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) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5 | C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 6 | D, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 5 | G, A♭, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
D blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 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 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, 8 | A, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6, 7 | G, A♭, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 8 | A, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
D 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 D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10 | C |
| 3 (G) | 10 | F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 10 | G, A♭, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D 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 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, 13 | D, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 12 | G, A♭, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 13 | A, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 13 | D, F |
Why it sounds like that
D blues minor is D minor pentatonic with an added ♭5. The ♭5 is A♭, placed between G and A. The interval pattern is 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. See the D minor pentatonic for the five-note base.
When to use it
D blues minor fits D minor and D 5th chords. Use it over a D blues or a country-rock groove. The ♭5 adds a lonesome quality to the minor pentatonic. Pair it with D minor or D 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root is on string 5, fret 5, and the shape spans frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in D blues minor?
D blues minor contains D, F, G, A♭, A, and C. A♭ is the blue note. The scale has six notes.
Which chords fit D blues minor?
D blues minor fits D minor and D 5th chords. It also works over G 5th in a blues progression. Use it in D blues.
How does D blues minor relate to D minor pentatonic?
D blues minor adds A♭ as the ♭5 to D minor pentatonic. The ♭5 sits between G and A. This is the only added note.