Explore scales · Guitar
G blues major scale on guitar
G blues major contains G, A, B♭, B, D, and E. Its root on string 6, fret 3 puts Box 1 in the most common blues position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the G blues major scale on guitar?
G 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 G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
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
G blues major 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 low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
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
G blues major 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
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
G blues major 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 10 and the B string at fret 8.
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
G 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 E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G 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
G blues major adds B♭ to G major pentatonic, creating a minor 3rd against G and a minor 2nd against A. The major 3rd B remains, so B♭ and B sit a semitone apart. B♭ and E form a diminished 5th, the scale's only tritone.
When to use it
G blues major fits G major and G minor chords, letting you toggle the 3rd. It also works over A 5th and D 5th for bright rock lines. Use it in G blues and shuffle feels.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. The root sits on string 6, fret 3, and the pattern covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in G blues major?
G blues major contains G, A, B♭, B, D, and E. The scale has both a minor and major 3rd. It is a six-note blues scale.
Which chords fit G blues major?
G blues major fits G major and G minor chords. It also works over A 5th and D 5th. The scale contains the chord tones of those harmonies.
How does G blues major differ from G major pentatonic?
G blues major adds B♭ to G major pentatonic. The added note creates a minor 3rd against G and a minor 2nd against A. This gives the scale its blues colour.