F 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

EADGFA♭B♭C♭CE♭B♭C♭CE♭FA♭E♭FA♭B♭C♭CA♭B♭C♭CE♭F0123456789101112
EADGFA♭B♭C♭CE♭B♭C♭CE♭FA♭E♭FA♭B♭C♭CA♭B♭C♭CE♭F0123456789101112

Position from fret 1

EADGFA♭B♭C♭CE♭FA♭B♭C♭1234
EADGFA♭B♭C♭CE♭FA♭B♭C♭1234

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

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Froot
2A♭ (A flat)minor third
3B♭ (B flat)perfect fourth
4C♭ (C flat)diminished fifth
5Cperfect fifth
6E♭ (E 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 F minor pentatonic scale plus the flat fifth, the “blue note”.

Other F scales

The same scale in other keys