A Blues scale
The A Blues scale is a 6-note blues scale built on the root A. Its notes are A, C, D, E♭, E and G. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A Blues a great tool for improvising and composing.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
A Blues on the piano
A Blues on the guitar
A Blues on the staff
Hear the A Blues scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A Blues scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A |
| 2 | 3m | 3 | C |
| 3 | 4P | 5 | D |
| 4 | 5d | 6 | E♭(Eb) |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | E |
| 6 | 7m | 10 | G |
How to use the A Blues scale
Because A Blues has fewer or more than seven notes, it doesn't produce a standard set of seven diatonic triads. Instead, build chords by stacking thirds within the scale or use it as a melodic colour over chords drawn from a related diatonic key.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice.
Practice tips
Add the blue note (flat fifth) to your minor pentatonic phrases as a passing or grace note. Don't sit on it too long - works best as a slide.
Famous songs in A Blues
These well-known tracks all use the A Blues scale.
- 1Sweet Home ChicagoRobert Johnson
- 2Pride and JoyStevie Ray Vaughan
- 3The Thrill is GoneB.B. King
- 4CrossroadsRobert Johnson / Cream
- 5Stormy MondayT-Bone Walker
Famous songs
Songs and pieces that use A Blues include “Crossroads” - Cream; “Pride and Joy” - Stevie Ray Vaughan. Studying these examples is one of the fastest ways to internalise the scale’s sound.
Scales related to A Blues
Once you are comfortable with A Blues, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with A Blues and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The A Blues scale follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”. Step pattern: W+H - W - H - H - W+H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Blues scale?
What is the formula for the A Blues scale?
Is A Blues a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the A Blues scale?
Which genres use A Blues?
How do I practise the A Blues scale?
Take A Blues into your music
Build progressions, find chord voicings and improvise with confidence using our music tools.