emusic.tools

E Blues scale

The E Blues scale is a 6-note blues scale built on the root E. Its notes are E, G, A, B♭, B and D. 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 E Blues a great tool for improvising and composing.

Short answer

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 E, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E is a comfortable tonal centre.

Notes
E · G · A · B♭ · B · D
Formula
1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m
Step pattern
W+H W H H W+H W
Tonic
E
Melancholic

E Blues on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the E Blues scale notesDEGABDEGABB♭B♭E Blues - E · G · A · B♭ · B · D

E Blues on the guitar

Show:
Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the E Blues scale noteseBGDAEEGAB♭BDEBDEGAB♭BGAB♭BDEGDEGAB♭BDAB♭BDEGAEGAB♭BDEE Blues - fr 0–12

E Blues on the staff

Hear the E Blues scale

E Blues
E · G · A · B♭ · B · D
EGAB♭BD

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

E Blues
E

Notes of the E Blues scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0E
23m3G
34P5A
45d6B♭(Bb)
55P7B
67m10D

How to use the E Blues scale

Because E 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 E Blues

These well-known tracks all use the E Blues scale.

  1. 1
    Hey Joe
    Jimi Hendrix
  2. 2
    Red House
    Jimi Hendrix
  3. 3
    Born Under a Bad Sign
    Albert King
  4. 4
    Mannish Boy
    Muddy Waters
  5. 5
    Pride and Joy
    Stevie Ray Vaughan

Famous songs

Songs and pieces that use E Blues include “The Thrill is Gone” - B.B. King; Standard 12-bar blues in E. Studying these examples is one of the fastest ways to internalise the scale’s sound.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m
Step pattern
W+H - W - H - H - W+H - W

The E 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.

Questions people ask

What notes are in the E Blues scale?
The E Blues scale contains E, G, A, B♭, B and D.
What is the formula for the E Blues scale?
E Blues follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”.
Is E Blues a major or minor scale?
E Blues is a blues scale. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing.
What chords belong to the E Blues scale?
E Blues doesn't produce a standard seven-chord diatonic set. Use chords from a related diatonic scale instead.
Which genres use E Blues?
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.
How do I practise the E Blues scale?
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.

Related chords, scales and keys