Explore scales · Guitar
F blues major scale on guitar
F blues major contains F, G, A♭, A, C, and D. Its root on string 6, fret 1 puts Box 1 at the lowest frets.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the F blues major scale on guitar?
F blues major 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 low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
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
F blues major 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 D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.
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
F blues major 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 8 and the B string at fret 6.
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
F blues major 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 A string at fret 8 and the G 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
F blues major 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 13, the G string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 13.
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
F blues major adds A♭ to F major pentatonic, creating a minor 3rd against F and a minor 2nd against G. The major 3rd A remains, so A♭ and A sit a semitone apart. A♭ and D form a diminished 5th, the scale's only tritone.
When to use it
F blues major fits F major and F minor chords, letting you toggle the 3rd. It also works over G 5th and C 5th for bright rock lines. Use it in F blues and shuffle feels.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in F blues major?
F blues major contains F, G, A♭, A, C, and D. The scale has both a minor and major 3rd. It is a six-note blues scale.
Which chords fit F blues major?
F blues major fits F major and F minor chords. It also works over G 5th and C 5th. The scale contains the chord tones of those harmonies.
How does F blues major differ from F major pentatonic?
F blues major adds A♭ to F major pentatonic. The added note creates a minor 3rd against F and a minor 2nd against G. This gives the scale its blues colour.