Explore scales · Ukulele
E♭ blues major scale on ukulele
E♭ blues major uses E♭, F, G♭, G, B♭, and C. 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 E♭ blues major scale on ukulele?
E♭ 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 C string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 3 | G, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 3 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 3 | F, G♭, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ blues major 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 C string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 6 | G, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ 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 G string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 8 | C, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 7 | F, G♭, G |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E♭ blues major in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 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 G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 10 | G, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8 | C |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 10 | F, G♭, G |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ blues major adds a ♭3 (G♭) to the E♭ major pentatonic notes E♭, F, G, B♭, C. The G♭–C pair is a diminished 5th, giving the scale its tritone. This six-note scale keeps the major 3rd G and adds the minor 3rd G♭ for blues colour. Compare it with E♭ major pentatonic.
When to use it
Use E♭ blues major over E♭ major and E♭ minor chords. The ♭3 works against the major 3rd in E♭ major, and the 6th C fits C minor. It suits blues, rock, and funk in E♭.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root E♭ on string 3, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ blues major?
E♭ blues major contains E♭, F, G♭, G, B♭, and C. The G♭ is a ♭3 and the G is a major 3rd. Together they create the blues sound. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit E♭ blues major?
E♭ blues major fits E♭ major and E♭ minor chords. The scale also works over C minor and B♭ 5th. Use it over dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel.
How is E♭ blues major different from E♭ major pentatonic?
E♭ blues major adds the ♭3 G♭ to E♭ major pentatonic. The pentatonic has E♭, F, G, B♭, C. The added G♭ creates tension against the major 3rd.