Dictionary: Bb Blues Scale

When you add a diminished 5th note to the B-flat minor pentatonic scale (the E note, in this case), you now have the B-flat blues scale.  Try it over B-flat.  Any B-flat.  You may like the results.

Lesson #70: Blues in Bb (Guitar, Intermediate)

If you've been paying attention to our other 12 bar blues lessons, you pretty much know the drill:

Bb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4

Eb 2 3 4
Eb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4

F 2 3 4
Eb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4
Bb 2 3 4 (variations during the turn around; previous blues lessons should give you an idea about this part)

The Bb Blues Scale sounds good in Bb 12-Bar Blues, as well as in Bb minor and Db major (try this past week's variety of chords).

Bb Blues Horizontal (Guitar, Intermediate)

Scale: Bb blues

Notes: Bb Db Eb E F Ab

Hollow Circles: Bb notes

Orange Circles: Bb minor pentatonic, diagonal pattern

Gray Circles: Bb minor pentatonic outside of the diagonal pattern

Blue Circles (Blue Note): E notes

Example Chord Progression for Rhythm Guitar: Bbm Gb Db Ab

Bb Blues Diagonal (Guitar, Beginner)

Scale: Bb blues

Notes: Bb Db Eb E F Ab

Hollow Circles: Bb notes

Orange Circles: Bb minor pentatonic

Blue Circles (Blue Note): E notes

Example Chord Progression for Rhythm Guitar: Bb5 Ab5 Db5 Eb5

Bb Blues Vertical (Guitar, Beginner)

Scale: Bb blues

Notes: Bb Db Eb E F Ab

Hollow Circles: Bb notes

Orange Circles: Bb minor pentatonic

Blue Circles (Blue Note): E notes

Example Chord Progression for Rhythm Guitar: Bb5 Eb5 F5