Explore scales · Ukulele
B blues major scale on ukulele
B blues major uses B, C♯, D, D♯, F♯, and G♯. 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 B blues major scale on ukulele?
B blues major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 4 and the A string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 4 | G♯, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 2, 3 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B blues major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 6 | D♯, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4 | G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 5, 6 | C♯, D, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B 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 E string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 7, 8 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | D♯, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B blues major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 11 | D♯, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | G♯, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 10, 11 | C♯, D, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B blues major adds a ♭3 (D) to the B major pentatonic notes B, C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯. The D–G♯ pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd D♯ and adds the minor 3rd D for blues colour. Compare it with B major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use B blues major over B major and B minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in B major, and the 6th G♯ fits A♭ minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in B.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root B on string 4, fret 4 and covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in B blues major?
B blues major contains B, C♯, D, D♯, F♯, and G♯. The D is a ♭3 and the D♯ is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound.
Which chords fit B blues major?
B blues major fits B major and B minor chords. The scale also works over A♭ minor and F♯ 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is B blues major different from B major pentatonic?
B blues major adds the ♭3 D to B major pentatonic. The pentatonic has B, C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯. The added D creates tension against the major 3rd.