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