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E blues minor scale on guitar
E blues minor uses E, G, A, B♭, B, and D. Box 1 starts on string 5, fret 7 and keeps the root under your first finger.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the E blues minor scale on guitar?
E 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 G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 2 | A, B♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 3 | B, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 3 | E, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E 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 B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5 | D |
| 4 (D) | 5 | G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | B♭, B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E 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 B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7 | D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 8 | E, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 7 | A, B♭, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 10 | B, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8, 9 | A, B♭, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 10 | B, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
E 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 E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 12 | D |
| 3 (G) | 12 | G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 12 | A, B♭, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
E blues minor is E minor pentatonic plus a ♭5. The ♭5 is B♭, placed between A and B. The interval pattern is 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. See the E minor pentatonic for the base scale.
When to use it
E blues minor fits E minor and E 5th chords. Use it over an E blues or a classic rock riff. The ♭5 adds a raw edge to the minor pentatonic. Pair it with E minor or E 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root is on string 5, fret 7, and the shape spans frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in E blues minor?
E blues minor contains E, G, A, B♭, B, and D. B♭ is the blue note. The scale has six notes.
Which chords fit E blues minor?
E blues minor fits E minor and E 5th chords. It also works over A 5th in a blues progression. Use it in E blues.
How is E blues minor different from E minor pentatonic?
E blues minor adds B♭ as the ♭5 to E minor pentatonic. The ♭5 sits between A and B. This creates the bluesy tension.