B blues scale on bass

The blues scale is a minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth, the “blue note”. This passing note gives blues, rock and jazz their signature sound.

On the whole neck

EADGEFF♯ABDEABDEFF♯ADEFF♯ABDABDEFF♯0123456789101112
EADGEFF♯ABDEABDEFF♯ADEFF♯ABDABDEFF♯0123456789101112

Position from fret 7

EADGBDEFF♯ABDEF78910
EADGBDEFF♯ABDEF78910

Root notes are filled. The position starts from the root on the 4th string (low E).

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Broot
2Dminor third
3Eperfect fourth
4Fdiminished fifth
5F♯ (F sharp)perfect fifth
6Aminor seventh

Steps between notes: W+H – W – H – H – W+H – W (W = whole step, H = half step)

The blues scale is the B minor pentatonic scale plus the flat fifth, the “blue note”.

Other B scales

The same scale in other keys