Explore scales · Ukulele
A blues major scale on ukulele
A blues major uses A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. The ♭3–3 pair sits on strings 4 and 3 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the A blues major scale on ukulele?
A blues major in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | A |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1 | C, C♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A blues major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5, 6 | B, C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A blues major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 9 | C♯, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 9 | F♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 8, 9 | B, C, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A blues major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11, 12 | A, B, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A blues major adds a ♭3 (C) to the A major pentatonic notes A, B, C♯, E, F♯. The C–F♯ pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd C♯ and adds the minor 3rd C for blues colour. Compare it with A major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use A blues major over A major and A minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in A major, and the 6th F♯ fits F♯ minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in A.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root A on string 4, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues major?
A blues major contains A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. The C is a ♭3 and the C♯ is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound.
Which chords fit A blues major?
A blues major fits A major and A minor chords. The scale also works over F♯ minor and E 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is A blues major different from A major pentatonic?
A blues major adds the ♭3 C to A major pentatonic. The pentatonic has A, B, C♯, E, F♯. The added C creates tension against the major 3rd.