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 0 to fret 3, 9 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 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 2 | C, D♭, D |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ blues major in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 5 | D, F |
| 2 (E) | 3 | G |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 5 | C, D♭, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ blues major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 7 | C, D♭, D |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 8 | D, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 10 | D, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 10 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 10 | C, D♭, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | 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 G 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 3 and covers frets 0–3.
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. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ blues major?
B♭ blues major fits B♭ major and B♭ minor chords. The scale also works over G 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.