C 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

EADGFG♭GB♭CE♭B♭CE♭FG♭GE♭FG♭GB♭CGB♭CE♭FG♭G0123456789101112
EADGFG♭GB♭CE♭B♭CE♭FG♭GE♭FG♭GB♭CGB♭CE♭FG♭G0123456789101112

Position from fret 8

EADGCE♭FG♭GB♭CE♭FG♭891011
EADGCE♭FG♭GB♭CE♭FG♭891011

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Croot
2E♭ (E flat)minor third
3Fperfect fourth
4G♭ (G flat)diminished fifth
5Gperfect fifth
6B♭ (B flat)minor seventh

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

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

Other C scales

The same scale in other keys