Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ blues minor scale on ukulele
B♭ blues minor contains B♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, and A♭. Box 1 places the root at string 4, fret 3 and string 1, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ blues minor scale on ukulele?
B♭ blues minor in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the C string at fret 1 up to D♭ on the A string at fret 4. 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) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3, 4 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 4 | F, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ blues minor in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 6 | B♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 5 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ blues minor in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 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) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 8 | F, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6 | B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 8 | E♭, F♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ blues minor in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 10 | E♭, F♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | F, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ blues minor adds the ♭5 F♭ to B♭ minor pentatonic. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 sits between the 4 and 5. Use it over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords.
When to use it
B♭ blues minor works over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. It fits blues, rock, and funk progressions in B♭. Try it over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 and keeps the root on string 4, fret 3.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ blues minor?
B♭ blues minor contains B♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, F, and A♭. The scale degrees are 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, and ♭7. The ♭5 F♭ is the blue note. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ blues minor?
B♭ blues minor fits B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. The scale contains the chord tones of B♭ minor. The ♭5 adds tension over the 5th chord.
How do I practice B♭ blues minor?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and gradually increase the tempo. Slide between F♭ and F to hear the blues sound.