D 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

EADGFGA♭ACDACDFGA♭ADFGA♭ACDGA♭ACDFG0123456789101112
EADGFGA♭ACDACDFGA♭ADFGA♭ACDGA♭ACDFG0123456789101112

Position from fret 10

EADGDFGA♭ACDFGA♭10111213
EADGDFGA♭ACDFGA♭10111213

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Droot
2Fminor third
3Gperfect fourth
4A♭ (A flat)diminished fifth
5Aperfect fifth
6Cminor seventh

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

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

Other D scales

The same scale in other keys