Explore scales · Ukulele
D blues major scale on ukulele
D blues major uses D, E, F, F♯, A, and B. The ♭3–3 pair sits on strings 3 and 2 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6
How do you play the D blues major scale on ukulele?
D blues major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 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 C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4, 5 | D, E, F |
| 2 (E) | 2, 5 | F♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
D 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 G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 7 | B, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5, 6 | E, F, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
D blues major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 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 G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 9 | F♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7 | B |
| 1 (A) | 7, 8, 9 | E, F, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
D 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 E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10, 11 | E, F, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
D blues major adds a ♭3 (F) to the D major pentatonic notes D, E, F♯, A, B. The F–B pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd F♯ and adds the minor 3rd F for blues colour. Compare it with D major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use D blues major over D major and D minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in D major, and the 6th B fits B minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in D.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root D on string 3, fret 2 and covers frets 2–5.
Common questions
What notes are in D blues major?
D blues major contains D, E, F, F♯, A, and B. The F is a ♭3 and the F♯ is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound.
Which chords fit D blues major?
D blues major fits D major and D minor chords. The scale also works over B minor and A 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is D blues major different from D major pentatonic?
D blues major adds the ♭3 F to D major pentatonic. The pentatonic has D, E, F♯, A, B. The added F creates tension against the major 3rd.