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F♯ blues minor scale on guitar
F♯ blues minor uses F♯, A, B, C, C♯, and E. Box 2 places the root on string 5, fret 9 for a mid-neck position.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ blues minor scale on guitar?
F♯ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 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 low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 2 | E |
| 3 (G) | 2 | A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 2 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 4 | B, C, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 5 | C♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F♯ 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 C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7 | E |
| 4 (D) | 7 | A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | C, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F♯ 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 C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 9 | E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 10 | F♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ blues minor in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10, 11 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ blues minor is F♯ minor pentatonic with an added ♭5. The ♭5 is C, placed between B and C♯. The interval pattern is 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7. See the F♯ minor pentatonic for the five-note base.
When to use it
F♯ blues minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. Use it in an F♯ blues or a metal riff. The ♭5 adds a sharp edge to the minor pentatonic. Pair it with F♯ minor or F♯ 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. The root is on string 6, fret 2, and the shape spans frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ blues minor?
F♯ blues minor contains F♯, A, B, C, C♯, and E. C is the blue note. The scale has six notes. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ blues minor?
F♯ blues minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over B 5th in a blues progression. Use it in F♯ blues.
How does F♯ blues minor relate to F♯ minor pentatonic?
F♯ blues minor adds C as the ♭5 to F♯ minor pentatonic. The ♭5 sits between B and C♯. This is the only added note.